Why It’s Best to Avoid Mixing Terbinafine and Alcohol
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Why Terbinafine and Alcohol Don’t Mix

Why Terbinafine and Alcohol Don’t Mix
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Updated on August 6, 2025
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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, or the brand name Lamisil.

Terbinafine is a medicine taken orally 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 Baddley, MD, a professor of medicine at University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Institute of Human Virology.

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, or 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, because the medication may cause caffeine to stay in your body longer, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Other Terbinafine Side Effects

Terbinafine may result in other potential side effects, Baddley says. Possible concerns include:

  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash
  • Upset stomach
  • Itchiness
  • Changes in taste
  • Abdominal pain
  • Gas

If you do develop these symptoms, know 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.
  • While serious and fatal liver problems are an unlikely result of combining alcohol and the medication, sensitivity of the liver can occur, making it more susceptible to damage.
  • It’s also a good idea to avoid caffeine while taking terbinafine, as the medication can cause caffeine to stay in the body for a longer period of time than normal.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Terbinafine Tablets. Cleveland Clinic.
  2. Terbinafine (Oral Route). Mayo Clinic. August 1, 2025.
  3. Terbinafine. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
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Stephanie Young Moss, PharmD

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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 owner of Integrative Pharmacy Outcomes and Consulting, which focuses on educating underserved communities on ways to reduce and prevent health disparities. She uses her platform to educate families on ways to decrease and eliminate health disparities by incorporating wellness and mental health techniques.

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