Terbinafine
Clinical data | |
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Pregnancy category |
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Routes of administration | Oral, topical |
ATC code | |
Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | Readily absorbed |
Protein binding | >99% |
Metabolism | Hepatic |
Elimination half-life | 36 hours |
Identifiers | |
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CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
DrugBank | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.119.605 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C21H25N |
Molar mass | 291.43 g/mol g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Terbinafine hydrochloride (Lamisil in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania, United Kingdom, and United States, also sold under the name Terbisil) is a synthetic allylamine antifungal. It is highly lipophilic in nature and tends to accumulate in skin, nails, and fatty tissues. As a generic it is sold under the name Zabel in Australia. It is now also available as a generic in the United States.
In India Terbinafine Hydrochloride is available in topical form under the brand name MYCOFEM in cream base (Fem Care Pharma)
Pharmacology
Terbinafine hydrochloride is a white fine crystalline powder that is freely soluble in methanol and dichloromethane, soluble in ethanol, and slightly soluble in water.
Like other allylamines, terbinafine inhibits ergosterol synthesis by inhibiting squalene epoxidase, an enzyme that is part of the fungal cell membrane synthesis pathway. Because terbinafine prevents conversion of squalene to lanosterol, ergosterol cannot be synthesized. This is thought to change cell membrane permeability.
Indications
Terbinafine is mainly effective on the dermatophytes group of fungi.
As a 1% cream or powder it is used for superficial skin infections such as jock itch (Tinea cruris), athlete's foot (Tinea pedis) and other types of ringworm (Tinea corporis).
Oral 250mg tablets are often prescribed for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to the dermatophyte Tinea unguium. Fungal nail infections are located deep under the nail in the cuticle to which topically applied treatments are unable to penetrate in sufficient amounts. The tablets may, rarely, cause hepatotoxicity, so patients are warned of this and may be monitored with liver function tests.
It has been found that terbinafine hydrochloride may induce or exacerbate subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Persons with lupus erythematosus should first discuss possible risks with their doctor before initiation of therapy. [1]
FDA approval
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic versions of prescription Lamisil (terbinafine hydrochloride) tablets. The remaining patent or exclusivity for Lamisil expired on June 30, 2007.
On September 28, 2007, the FDA stated that Lamisil (terbinafine hydrochloride, by Novartis AG) is a new treatment approved for use by children aged 4 up. The antifungal granules can be sprinkled on a child's food to treat ringworm of the scalp, Tinea capitis. [2]