Terbinafine
LamisilPubChem CID 1549008 · 3D model
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Blocks an enzyme fungi need to build their cell membrane, causing a toxic buildup that kills the fungal cell.
How it works
Terbinafine works by blocking an enzyme fungi need to build ergosterol, an essential building block of their cell membranes. Blocking that enzyme causes a fatty substance called squalene to build up inside the fungal cell to toxic levels, and it's mainly this buildup — not the missing ergosterol — that kills the fungus. How well this translates to real infections can vary depending on the fungus involved. Because terbinafine builds up in skin and nails and stays there long after treatment stops, it's especially useful for treating stubborn fungal nail infections.
What it’s used for
Terbinafine pills are used to treat fungal infections of the toenails or fingernails, a condition called onychomycosis. Doctors typically confirm the diagnosis with a nail scraping or culture before starting treatment. Treatment is one pill a day for 6 weeks for fingernails or 12 weeks for toenails, and because nails grow slowly, it can take months after finishing the pills before the nail looks fully clear. Lab tests show terbinafine can also act against other fungi like Candida, but it hasn't been proven to work for those infections in real patients, so it isn't approved for that use.
- Mechanism
- Inhibits fungal squalene epoxidase, blocking ergosterol synthesis
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Antifungal