Safety of terbinafine in children with tinea capitis

Data of 254 patients with mycologically confirmed tinea capitis treated with terbinafine for 1-6 weeks were retrospectively examined to find out the safety profile of this drug in the juvenile age group i.e. <15 years. A total of 26 drug-related adverse events were noted in 254 patients i.e. an incidence rate of 10.2%. These included raised hepatic enzymes 3.9%, eosinophilia 3.2%, raised triglycerides 1.9%, leukocytosis 0.8%, and headache 0.4%. In the majority of treated children the drug was safe and well-tolerated. However, we recommend close monitoring to prevent serious and life threatening adverse events.