Cutaneous adverse effects associated with terbinafine therapy: 10 case reports and a review of the literature

Terbinafine is an allylamine antifungal agent widely used to treat dermatophyte onychomycosis and dermatomycoses. We report 10 severe cutaneous adverse reactions associated with terbinafine therapy which required discontinuation of the antifungal agent: erythema multiforme (five patients), erythroderma (one), severe urticaria (one), pityriasis rosea (one) and worsening of pre-existing psoriasis (two patients). The spectrum of cutaneous adverse effects associated with terbinafine therapy is reviewed. Patients should be counselled about discontinuing terbinafine at the onset of a cutaneous eruption and about seeking medical advice about further management.