If you’ve noticed that one or more of your toenails or fingernails is discolored, thickened, or brittle, you might have onychomycosis, a common fungal infection that many people simply call nail fungus. Onychomycosis can significantly impact your quality of life, and studies show that it affects almost 14% of adults in North America.
Treating nail fungus can be tricky because the infection often recurs, and it can be hard to stick to the treatment plan. Also, some fungi are becoming resistant to certain medications, making them harder to eradicate.
Two of the most commonly prescribed oral antifungal medications are terbinafine and itraconazole. Terbinafine is often the first choice for oral treatment, while itraconazole is another option that comes with its own set of benefits and risks.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of terbinafine and itraconazole as treatments for onychomycosis, or nail fungus, including how well they work, what side effects they can cause, what to consider before taking them, and what kind of results you can expect.
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