LAMISIL^®

250mg Tablets

Terbinafine

What Lamisil tablets are used for

Lamisil tablets are used to treat:

• fungal infections of the finger nails and toe nails
• tinea (ringworm) infections of the groin and body
• tinea infections of the feet, commonly called "athlete's foot"
• tinea infections of hair and scalp ("tinea capitis")

These infections are caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes.

Terbinafine, the active ingredient in Lamisil tablets, works by killing the dermatophytes.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.

Lamisil tablets are only available with a doctor's prescription. This medicine is not addictive.

Before you take Lamisil tablets

When you must not take it

Do not take Lamisil if you have ever had an allergic reaction to terbinafine, the active ingredient, or to any of the other ingredients of Lamisil tablets listed at the end of this leaflet.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction to Lamisil may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take Lamisil if you currently have a problem with your liver. Taking Lamisil may make your liver problem worse.

Do not take Lamisil after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. In that case, return it to your pharmacist.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you have any of the following medical problems/conditions:

• problems with your kidneys
• a past history of liver problems but your liver is functioning normally now

Your doctor may want to take special precautions while you are taking Lamisil.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. There is no experience with use of Lamisil tablets during pregnancy. If your doctor thinks it is necessary for you to take it, he/she will discuss with you the benefits and risks involved.

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Breastfeeding is not recommended since terbinafine, the active ingredient in Lamisil, passes into breast milk. There is a possibility that your baby could be affected.

If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell him/her before you start taking Lamisil.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and Lamisil may interfere with each other. These include:

• some medicines used to treat depression and other mental disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorders and panic attacks
• some medicines for Parkinson's disease
• beta-blocker medicines, which are used for a variety of disorders (e.g. heart problems, high blood pressure, migraine)
• cimetidine, a medicine for stomach ulcers
• rifampicin, an antibiotic
• oral contraceptives (birth control pills). You may have problems, such as bleeding between periods, while you are taking Lamisil

If you are not sure about any of the above medicines, your doctor or pharmacist can advise you. They have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Lamisil.

How to take Lamisil tablets

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.

These directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

The usual dose of Lamisil is one tablet (250mg) each day. If you have kidney problems, the dose may be reduced to one-half a tablet each day.

How to take it

Take the tablet with a full glass of water. If you find that Lamisil upsets your stomach, try taking it immediately after a light meal.

Take Lamisil at about the same time each day.

Taking your tablet at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.

How long to take it

The length of your treatment will depend on the type of infection you have, what part of the body is infected and how well you respond to treatment.

Fungal skin infections (tinea)

If you have a tinea infection of the feet (athlete's foot), you will usually take Lamisil tablets for 2 to 6 weeks. If you have a tinea infection of the body or groin, you will usually take the tablets for 2 to 4 weeks. The signs and symptoms of infection may last for several weeks after the fungi (dermatophytes) have been killed.

Fungal nail infections

Fungal nail infections usually take longer to heal than fungal skin infections. You will usually take Lamisil tablets for anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months. But, if you have a nail infection of the big toe or your nails grow very slowly, you may need to take the tablets for up to 6 months. It may take several months after you stop taking Lamisil for your nail to look completely normal. That is because the deformed part of the nail has to grow out and be replaced by a healthy nail.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose (within 4 hours), skip the dose you missed and take the next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the one that you missed.

This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (Overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or National Poisons Information Centre, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Lamisil. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Keep the telephone numbers for these places handy.

Some of the symptoms of an overdose may include headache, nausea (feeling sick), stomach pain and dizziness.

While you are taking Lamisil tablets

Things you must do

Make sure to take your tablet every day and continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop. This will ensure that all of the infection is gone and will lessen the chance of the infection coming back once you stop taking the tablets.

Make sure to have any blood tests done that are ordered by your doctor. Any effects of Lamisil on your liver, kidneys or blood can be detected by blood tests.

If you become pregnant while taking Lamisil, tell your doctor immediately. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits of taking it during pregnancy.

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Lamisil.

Tell any other doctor, dentist or pharmacist who treats you that you are taking Lamisil.

Things you must not do

Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem to be the same as yours.

Do not use Lamisil to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Things to be careful of

Although there is no data available on the effect of Lamisil when driving and using machinery, initially care should be taken.

Be careful to keep the infected areas dry and cool and change clothing that is in direct contact with the infected areas every day.

This will help to clear up the infection and make sure that it does not return.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Lamisil, even if you do not think it is connected with the medicine.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

• nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting
• upset stomach (heartburn, cramps, wind, belching)
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• aching joints or muscles
• headache
• tiredness, sleepiness
• loss of or change in sense of taste, which usually returns to normal within several weeks of stopping Lamisil (uncommon)
• hair loss (very rare)

Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

• signs of allergy such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other part of the body; shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing; redness, itching or rash on the skin
• signs of a serious skin reaction such as painful red areas, large blisters, peeling of layers of skin, or bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose or genitals. These signs may be accompanied by fever and chills, aching muscles and feeling generally unwell
• signs of a possible liver problem such as persistent nausea, loss of appetite or unusual tiredness; yellowing of the skin and/or eyes, dark urine or pale bowel motions
• signs of a possible blood problem such as constant "flu-like" symptoms (fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, chills, swollen glands, lack of energy) or unusual bleeding or bruising
• chest pain

The above are serious side effects that need medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you unwell.

Other side effects not listed above may happen in some people.

After using Lamisil tablets

Storage

• Keep your tablets in the original container until it is time to take them.
• Store the tablets in a cool, dry place and protected from light.
• Do not store Lamisil or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
• Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.

Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines. Lamisil will keep well if it is cool and dry.

Keep the medicine where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking Lamisil or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine you have left over.

Product description

What it looks like

Lamisil tablets are white, round tablets marked with a break line and "ST" on one side; in packs of 14 tablets.

Ingredients

Lamisil tablets contain 250 mg of the active ingredient, terbinafine (as the hydrochloride salt). They also contain:

• magnesium stearate
• silica-colloidal anhydrous
• hypromellose
• sodium starch glycollate
• cellulose-microcrystalline

   Inhouse Pharmacy