Antifungal agent for topical use, with a wide range of antifungal activity. In low concentrations terbinafine has a fungicidal action against dermatophytes (Trychophyton rubrum, T.mentagrophytes, T.verrucosum, T.violaceum, T.tonsurans, Microsporum canis, Epidermophyton Jloccosum), molds (for example, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Scorpulariopsis brevicalius), certain dimorphic (Pityrosporum orbiculare) and yeast fungi (mainly Candida albicans). Activity in relation to other yeast fungi Candida spp., depending on their type, can be fungicidal or fungistatic.
Terbinafine specifically changes the early stage of sterol biosynthesis occurring in fungi. This leads to a deficit of ergosterol and to intracellular accumulation of squalene, which causes death of the fungal cell. The action of terbinafine is carried out by inhibiting the enzyme squalene epoxidase located on the cell membrane of the fungus.
Terbinafine has no effect on the cytochrome P450 system in humans and, accordingly, on the metabolism of hormones or other medications.