Lamisil

What is Lamisil?

Lamisil is a branded antifungal treatment available as a 1% cream or gel. It can be used to treat various fungal skin infections. For example, Lamisil cream treats athlete's foot and jock itch. Lamisil gel, meanwhile, helps with athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm. Both versions contain the active ingredient terbinafine.

Prescription Doctor stocks both the brand and generic formulations. If you are unsure which one is best for you, our experienced clinicians can discuss our range of treatments.

What are Ringworm, Jock Itch, and Athlete's Foot?

Ringworm (tinea corporis), Dhobie itch/jock itch (tinea cruris) and athlete's foot (tinea pedis) are skin infections caused by fungal pathogens. These infections are contagious and should be treated promptly to prevent the spread to others.

Fungal skin infections can spread to other parts of the body. This commonly occurs with athlete's foot and fungal nail infections. Fungi from athlete's foot between the toes can spread to the toenail, causing a fungal nail infection. Similarly, a ringworm infection that spreads to your groin is commonly called jock itch.

Symptoms of a fungal skin infection include:

• Bald spots on the scalp
• Blisters
• Broken skin
• Discolouration of nails
• Itching skin
• Peeling skin
• Raised ring-shaped rash
• Scaling or flaky skin

While the condition can be uncomfortable, resist the urge to scratch infected rashes, as this can increase the risk of spreading the infection to other parts of your body.

Fungal infections can be easily treated with over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Lamisil is one such treatment for fungal skin infections, such as ringworm, jock itch and athlete's foot.

How Does Lamisil Work?

Lamisil works to treat fungal infections. Lamisil's active ingredient, terbinafine, works by inhibiting squalene epoxidase in fungal cells, reducing their ability to synthesise the sterols they need to survive. As a result, Lamisil treatment causes fungal cells to die. As the medicine kills the fungus, the related symptoms, such as itching and rash, subside.

Depending on the infection's location, severity, and treatment, full skin healing can take up to 4 weeks after the infection has resolved. If symptoms persist, seek advice from your clinician. You can find more information about terbinafine on the NHS website.

How Does Lamisil Cream Work?

Lamisil cream is applied topically and is absorbed by the skin. The cream helps soothe itching caused by the infection, relieving discomfort. It also indirectly helps reduce the chance of the infection spreading to other parts of the body through scratching.

How Does Lamisil Gel Work?

Lamisil gel is a topical treatment that is applied directly to the affected skin. It targets the fungus causing the infection and kills it, helping the skin recover. The medication also soothes symptoms such as redness, itching, and irritation.

How Long Does it Take for Lamisil to Work?

Use Lamisil gel for only one week. However, it may take up to four weeks for the skin to fully heal after the infection has cleared. If you don't notice any improvement within one week of starting treatment, seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

To treat athlete's foot, use Lamisil cream once daily for one week only. Symptoms may take up to four weeks to fully resolve. See your doctor or pharmacist if you don't notice improvement within two weeks.

How to Use Lamisil

Always use Lamisil exactly as described in the Patient Information Leaflet that accompanies your medication or as advised by your doctor or clinician. The exact application instructions will depend on whether you are using Lamisil gel or cream.

How to Use Lamisil Cream

For athlete's foot and jock itch, apply the cream once daily for one week. Do not use Lamisil cream on the face.

1. Before applying the cream, cleanse the skin and pat the area dry with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing the affected area dry, as this can cause unnecessary irritation.
2. Wash your hands before touching the cream.
3. Unscrew the lid on the Lamisil tube and squeeze out enough cream onto your finger to form a thin layer over the infected area and the surrounding skin.
4. Apply the cream to the affected area to form a thin layer. Gently rub the cream into the skin to help it absorb.
5. For infections between the toes (such as athlete's foot) or on the groin or buttocks (such as jock itch), you may apply a light, fresh gauze.
6. Always wash your hands after applying the cream.

How to Apply Lamisil Gel

Apply Lamisil gel once daily for one week to treat fungal infections. The medication is suitable for ringworm occurring on the trunk of the body, legs, arms, neck, or head, but not the face.

1. Cleanse and dry the affected area with a clean towel. Wash your hands thoroughly
2. Unscrew the cap and gently squeeze out a small amount of the gel (enough to form a thin layer over the affected area)
3. Rub the gel in lightly into the affected skin and surrounding areas
4. When used between the toes, buttocks or on the groin, the treated area may be covered with a light, fresh gauze strip, especially at night
5. Replace the cap on the tube and wash your hands

If You Apply Too Much Lamisil

If you accidentally apply more Lamisil than you should, wipe away the excess with a tissue and safely discard it out of reach from children and pets.

Using more Lamisil than recommended will not treat your infection faster. If you are unsure about how much Lamisil to apply, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If You Miss a Dose of Lamisil

If you miss a dose of Lamisil, apply the dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one. Missing doses may increase the risk of the infection returning.

Lamisil Side Effects and Cautions

All medicines carry the risk of side effects, though not everybody experiences them.

Common Lamisil side effects include:

• Skin peeling
• Itching

Uncommon Lamisil side effects include:

• Skin sores
• Scabbing
• Changes in skin colour
• Redness on and around the application site
• Burning
• Pain or irritation around the application site

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of Lamisil side effects. More details can be found within the Patient Information Leaflets for Lamisil Gel and Lamisil Cream.

If you experience any adverse reactions, whether they are listed above or in the Patient Information Leaflet, speak to your clinician or doctor. You can also report side effects via the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme.

Allergies

Do not use Lamisil gel or cream if you are allergic to terbinafine or any of the other ingredients listed within the Patient Information Leaflet. Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction after using Lamisil. Go straight to your nearest accident and emergency department. Remember to bring the packaging and any remaining medication so the doctors treating you know exactly what you took.

Signs of an allergic reaction may include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat

Safety Information

Always read the Patient Information Leaflet before you begin using Lamisil. Inform our online prescribers of all other medicines you are currently taking, including those prescribed by your doctor or bought over the counter, including health and herbal supplements.

Never share a medicine that has been prescribed for you with anybody else. Even if they are experiencing the same symptoms or have been diagnosed with the same condition as you.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Ask your doctor before using Lamisil gel if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Do not use the gel if you are breastfeeding. Lamisil cream should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding unless advised by your doctor. Consult your doctor for additional guidance.

Storage Instructions

Do not use Lamisil past the expiry date printed on the packaging. Always keep the medication away from children and pets. Never dispose of Lamisil via household waste or water, as this can harm the environment. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it safely on your behalf.

Lamisil gel should not be stored above temperatures of 30°C and must be used within one month of opening. Lamisil cream has no specific storage instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lamisil