From the Guidelines
It is generally safe to take terbinafine along with finasteride and minoxidil, as there are no significant known drug interactions between these medications. Terbinafine is an antifungal medication used to treat fungal infections like athlete's foot or onychomycosis (nail fungus), while finasteride and minoxidil are used for hair loss treatment. Each medication works through different mechanisms: terbinafine inhibits fungal cell wall synthesis, finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and minoxidil increases blood flow to hair follicles. According to the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of onychomycosis 2014 1, oral terbinafine has minimal drug–drug interactions, with the only potentially significant interaction being with drugs metabolized by the cytochrome P450 2D6 isoenzyme. Some key points to consider when taking terbinafine with finasteride and minoxidil include:
- Monitoring for any side effects, as each medication carries its own risk profile, such as gastrointestinal or dermatological events with terbinafine 1
- Consulting with your healthcare provider who knows your complete medical history and can evaluate potential risks based on your specific situation
- Being aware of rare but serious adverse reactions, such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, associated with terbinafine 1 If you experience unusual symptoms after starting this combination, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
From the Research
Interaction between Terbinafine, Finasteride, and Minoxidil
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies regarding the interaction between terbinafine, finasteride, and minoxidil 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Terbinafine is an antifungal medication that works by inhibiting the biosynthesis of ergosterol, a component of fungal cell membranes 3, 5.
- Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor used to treat androgenetic alopecia, and minoxidil is a vasodilator used to treat hair loss 2, 4, 6.
- The studies provided focus on the efficacy and safety of these medications individually, but do not address potential interactions between them.
- However, it is noted that terbinafine has a low potential for drug-drug interactions, which may suggest that it is unlikely to interact with finasteride and minoxidil in a significant way 3.
Safety and Efficacy of Individual Medications
- Terbinafine has been shown to be effective in treating dermatophyte onychomycosis and has a good safety profile 3, 5.
- Finasteride has been shown to be effective in treating androgenetic alopecia, but may have systemic side effects such as sexual dysfunction 2, 6.
- Minoxidil has been shown to be effective in treating androgenetic alopecia, and may be used in combination with finasteride to enhance efficacy 2, 4, 6.
Potential Considerations
- When considering the use of terbinafine, finasteride, and minoxidil together, it is essential to monitor for potential side effects and interactions, although the available evidence does not suggest significant interactions between these medications 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Patients should be advised to follow the recommended dosage and administration instructions for each medication, and to report any adverse effects or concerns to their healthcare provider.