If you’ve ever dealt with a fungal infection in your nails or had a case of athlete’s foot, you may be familiar with the medication terbinafine, sold under the brand name Lamisil.
Terbinafine is an oral medication used to treat fungal infections. Adults who are prescribed terbinafine usually take it every day for 6 to 12 weeks to cure an infection.
During treatment, it’s a good idea to take a break from drinking alcohol. That’s because terbinafine is primarily metabolized through the liver, just like alcohol. Combining terbinafine and alcohol could cause negative side effects.
“Drinking alcohol while taking terbinafine should be avoided if possible,” says John W. Baddley, MD, clinical director of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore.
The Risks of Mixing Terbinafine and Alcohol
If you’re taking terbinafine with alcohol, there are certain risks and symptoms to stay mindful of, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dehydration, headaches, and jaundice, according to Dr. Baddley.
Both alcohol and Lamisil are processed in the liver, so your liver can become slightly sensitive to alcohol while taking the medication. This creates a potential risk of liver damage. That said, alcoholic drinks don’t have to be avoided for long after taking your prescribed dose of terbinafine. It’s safe to resume drinking alcohol three to five days after your last dose, according to Baddley.
You’re encouraged not to drink alcohol while taking the medication, but serious and fatal liver problems are unlikely if you do, Baddley says. “Liver failure, sometimes leading to liver transplant or death, has rarely occurred with the use of oral terbinafine,” he says.
If your doctor has prescribed terbinafine, you should carefully follow the directions to limit your risk of these side effects. Also, steer clear of caffeinated drinks like coffee and soda, as the medication may keep caffeine in your system longer than usual, according to Mayo Clinic.
Other Terbinafine Side Effects
Terbinafine may result in other potential side effects, Baddley says:
Headache
Diarrhea
Rash
Upset stomach
Itchiness
Changes in taste
Abdominal pain
Gas
If you develop these symptoms, they shouldn’t last long after you stop taking terbinafine. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms linger after finishing your prescribed doses.
The Takeaway
It’s best to avoid alcohol while taking terbinafine to reduce the likelihood of potential liver damage.
It’s also a good idea to avoid caffeine while taking terbinafine, as the medication can prolong caffeine's half-life.
If your doctor has prescribed terbinafine, you should carefully follow the directions to limit your risk of unpleasant side effects
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Stephanie Young Moss, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy, community outreach, regulatory compliance, managed care, and health economics and outcomes research. Dr. Young Moss is the own...
Ciara Lucas, CPT, RRCA, is a New York City–based health and fitness expert and journalist. She has extensive experience delivering health, fitness, and wellness content across majo...
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