If you are using TERBANE 10 mg cream, you are using a skin medicine for fungal infections. Its active ingredient is terbinafine hydrochloride, an antifungal medicine that kills fungi causing skin infections. TERBANE is used only on the skin and is not meant to be swallowed or used inside the body.
SCHEDULING STATUS : S1
What it is and what it is used for
Active ingredient and medicine type
TERBANE cream contains the active ingredient terbinafine hydrochloride.
Each 1 g of cream contains 10 mg terbinafine hydrochloride. This means TERBANE is a 10 mg/g terbinafine hydrochloride cream.
Terbinafine hydrochloride is an antifungal. Antifungal medicines are used to treat infections caused by fungi.
What TERBANE is used for
TERBANE cream is used for the local treatment of fungal infections of the skin only.
The source specifically mentions use for:
- Tinea corporis — ringworm of the body
- Tinea cruris — jock itch
- Tinea pedis — athlete’s foot
- Cutaneous candidiasis — skin thrush
- Pityriasis versicolor
These are all fungal skin conditions. TERBANE is applied directly to the affected skin area and nearby skin.
Scheduling status in South Africa
TERBANE 10 mg cream is listed as Scheduling Status S1 in the source. In South Africa, medicine schedules help guide how medicines may be supplied and used.
How it works
TERBANE helps by killing the fungi that are causing the skin infection.
When fungi grow on the skin, they can cause symptoms such as itching, peeling, redness, irritation, colour changes, or discomfort, depending on the type and area of infection. TERBANE is applied to the affected area so that the antifungal ingredient can act directly on the skin.
You may notice that the infection starts to look or feel better within a few days. Even if this happens, you should continue using the cream for the full recommended time. Stopping too early may allow the infection to come back.
Who should NOT use this medicine
Do not use TERBANE if you:
- Are allergic to terbinafine
- Are allergic to terbinafine hydrochloride
- Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in TERBANE
- Are pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
- Are treating an infant or child under 12 years, unless a doctor specifically advises otherwise
Children under 12 years
TERBANE cream is not recommended for children under 12 years.
The source states that safety in infants and children under 12 years has not been established.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
You should not use TERBANE if you are pregnant.
You should also not use TERBANE while breastfeeding, because terbinafine is excreted in breast milk.
Warning: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider before using this medicine.
Warnings and precautions
Use it only on your skin
TERBANE cream is for external use only.
This means:
- Do not swallow it
- Do not put it in your mouth
- Do not use it in your eyes
- Do not use it inside the body
- Do not use it for infections that are not on the skin unless your healthcare provider tells you to
Keep it away from your eyes
Avoid contact with your eyes.
If TERBANE accidentally gets into your eyes:
- Rinse your eyes thoroughly with running water
- Tell your doctor immediately
Eye irritation is also listed as a possible side effect.
Stop if you have an allergic reaction
If you develop signs of an allergic reaction, remove the cream and stop treatment.
Signs of a serious allergic reaction may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Severe itching with a red rash
- Raised lumps
- Hives
- Blisters
Warning: These symptoms may be serious. Stop using TERBANE and get urgent medical help if they occur.
Fire risk from fabric
Do not smoke or go near open flames while using TERBANE.
Fabric that has been in contact with this product can burn more easily. This includes:
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Dressings
- Gauze
- Other fabric items touching the treated skin
Washing clothing and bedding may reduce the build-up of the product, but it may not remove it completely.
Warning: This is a serious fire hazard. Be careful around cigarettes, candles, heaters, gas flames, braais, and any naked flames.
If symptoms do not improve
Skin infections often start improving within a few days of using TERBANE.
However, you should speak to your doctor if:
- Your skin does not improve after two weeks
- Your symptoms get worse
- You develop side effects
- You are not sure whether the infection is fungal
- The infection returns after treatment
Do not use it for too long
Do not use TERBANE for longer than one month.
If you feel you still need treatment after that, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Driving and using machines
TERBANE should not affect your ability to drive or operate machines.
Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant
You should not use TERBANE if you are pregnant.
The source states that safety in pregnancy has not been established.
If you are planning pregnancy
If you are planning to have a baby, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or another healthcare provider before using TERBANE.
If you are breastfeeding
You should not use TERBANE while breastfeeding.
Terbinafine is excreted in breast milk, so mothers should not receive treatment with TERBANE during breastfeeding.
Fertility
The source includes pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility under one section, but it does not provide specific fertility guidance beyond advising you to consult a healthcare provider before using the medicine if pregnancy or breastfeeding is relevant.
Not specified in the source.
Interactions
Other medicines
Always tell your healthcare provider if you are using any other medicines.
This includes:
- Prescription medicines
- Pharmacy medicines
- Complementary medicines
- Traditional medicines
The source states that, to date, no medicine interactions are known with the topical use of TERBANE cream.
Food
No food interactions are specified in the source.
Alcohol
No alcohol interaction is specified in the source.
Tests
No test interactions are specified in the source.
Practical advice
Even though no topical medicine interactions are known, it is still sensible to tell your doctor or pharmacist what you are using on your skin. This includes other creams, ointments, powders, or dressings in the same area.
How to take it step by step
TERBANE is applied to the skin. It is not taken by mouth.
Always use it exactly as described by your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. If you are unsure, ask before continuing.
Before you apply it
Before each application:
- Wash or cleanse the affected area
- Dry the skin thoroughly
- Make sure the area is ready for treatment
Drying the area is important, especially in places where moisture collects, such as between the toes, under the breasts, in the groin, between the buttocks, or between the fingers.
Applying the cream
Apply TERBANE like this:
- Put a thin layer of cream on the affected skin
- Also apply it to the surrounding area
- Rub it in gently
- Use it regularly for the recommended treatment time
Do not apply a thick layer. If you apply more than a thin layer, remove some of the excess cream.
Covering the area with gauze
In some areas, the treated skin may be covered with gauze, especially at night.
This may apply when TERBANE is used:
- Under the breasts
- Between the fingers
- Between the toes
- Between the buttocks
- On the groin
Remember the fire warning. Fabric, dressings, gauze, clothing, and bedding that come into contact with the cream can burn more easily.
How often to apply it
TERBANE can be applied once or twice daily.
The recommended frequency and length of treatment depend on the type and area of fungal infection.
For adults
For the conditions listed in the source, TERBANE is generally applied once daily for the stated treatment period, where frequency is specified.
For elderly people
The source states that there is no evidence that elderly patients need different doses or have different side effects from younger patients.
For children
TERBANE is not recommended for children under 12 years.
Safety in infants and children under 12 years has not been established.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to apply TERBANE, apply it as soon as you remember.
If it is already time for your next application, continue as normal. Do not stop using it early because you forgot a dose.
It is important to try to remember your applications, because missing treatment may increase the chance of the infection returning.
If you use too much
If you apply more than a thin layer, remove some of the cream.
If you think there has been an overdose, contact your doctor or pharmacist. If they are not available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre.
If someone swallows it
If you or someone else swallows TERBANE cream:
- Go to your doctor or nearest hospital emergency department immediately
- Take the remaining medicine with you if possible
Symptoms after accidental swallowing may include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
If you stop too soon
Do not stop using TERBANE before the recommended treatment time is complete.
If you stop too early, the infection is more likely to return.
Dosing table
Only the dosing information stated in the source is included below.
| Age or condition | Dose | Frequency | Treatment duration | Maximum daily dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults with tinea corporis or tinea cruris | Thin layer to affected skin and surrounding area | Once daily | 1 week | Not specified in the source |
| Adults with tinea pedis | Thin layer to affected skin and surrounding area | Once daily | 1 week | Not specified in the source |
| Adults with cutaneous candidiasis | Thin layer to affected skin and surrounding area | Not specified in the source | 1 week | Not specified in the source |
| Adults with pityriasis versicolor | Thin layer to affected skin and surrounding area | Not specified in the source | 2 weeks | Not specified in the source |
| Elderly patients | Same as younger adults, based on available evidence | As above | As above | Not specified in the source |
| Children under 12 years | Not recommended | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Note: TERBANE can be applied once or twice daily, but the source gives specific once-daily instructions for tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis. For cutaneous candidiasis and pityriasis versicolor, the source provides duration but does not clearly state a specific frequency in the same line.
Possible side effects
TERBANE can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Some side effects may be mild, such as skin peeling or itching. Others may be serious and need urgent care.
If your general health worsens or you notice any unwanted effects while using TERBANE, speak to your healthcare provider.
Common side effects
The following are listed as frequent side effects:
- Skin peeling
- Itching
These may happen while using the cream. If they are mild and settle, continue to monitor your skin. If they are severe, worsening, or worrying, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Less common side effects
Less frequent side effects may include:
- Redness where the cream is applied
- Itching at the application site
- Stinging at the application site
- Pain
- Pain at the site where the cream is applied
- Symptoms getting worse
- Irritation where the cream is applied
- Skin lesions
- Scabs
- Changes in skin colour
- Dry skin
- Contact dermatitis
- Eczema
- Eye irritation
What these may feel like
Application site reactions can feel like burning, stinging, tenderness, or irritation in the area where you have used the cream.
Contact dermatitis means the skin becomes inflamed after contact with something irritating or allergy-triggering. It may appear as redness, itching, dryness, or a rash.
Eczema may cause dry, itchy, inflamed skin.
If the cream gets into your eyes and causes irritation, rinse thoroughly with running water and tell your doctor immediately.
Side effects with unknown frequency
The source lists the following side effect as frequency unknown:
- Rash
If you develop a rash, watch carefully for any signs of allergy. Stop using TERBANE and seek urgent help if the rash is severe or comes with swelling, difficulty breathing, hives, or blisters.
Serious side effects — seek urgent help
Stop using TERBANE and tell your doctor immediately, or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital, if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Severe skin itching with a red rash
- Raised lumps
- Hives
- Blisters
These may be signs of a serious allergic reaction. You may need urgent medical attention or hospital care.
Warning: Do not continue applying the cream if you suspect a serious allergic reaction.
Reporting side effects in South Africa
If you get side effects, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
You can also report suspected side effects to SAHPRA using the “6.04 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form”, which is available online through SAHPRA publications.
The source also states that suspected side effects can be reported directly to the HCR at:
Reporting side effects helps provide more information on the safety of TERBANE.
Storage and disposal
How to store TERBANE
Store TERBANE:
- In a cool place
- Below 25 °C
- Out of reach of children
Do not leave it where children can access it. This is important because accidental swallowing can cause symptoms and needs urgent medical attention.
Moisture and light
Specific instructions about moisture and light are not specified in the source.
Expiry guidance
Specific expiry-date instructions are not specified in the source.
Disposal
Any unused medicine should be returned to your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional for disposal.
Do not keep unused medicine unnecessarily, and do not share it with another person.
What the medicine contains
Active ingredient
Each 1 g of TERBANE cream contains:
- 10 mg terbinafine hydrochloride
Preservative
Each 1 g of TERBANE cream contains:
- 1,0 % m/m benzyl alcohol as preservative
The source also states that TERBANE contains 10 mg benzyl alcohol in each gram of cream.
Other ingredients
TERBANE also contains:
- Benzyl alcohol
- Cetostearyl alcohol
- Cetyl palmitate 15
- Isopropyl myristate
- Polysorbate 60
- Purified water
- Sodium hydroxide
- Sorbitan stearate
Important excipients
TERBANE contains benzyl alcohol, which may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation.
TERBANE also contains cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin reactions such as contact dermatitis.
Lactose or sugar
Lactose is not listed in the source.
Sugar is not listed in the source.
Pack information and appearance
What TERBANE looks like
TERBANE cream is described as a white or almost white cream with a homogenous appearance. Homogenous means the cream should look evenly mixed.
Pack sizes
TERBANE cream is packed in collapsible inside lacquered aluminium tubes with plastic screw caps.
The pack sizes listed are:
- 7,5 g
- 15 g
Registration details
The source lists the registration number as:
- A39/20.2.2/0009
Certificate holder
The holder of the certificate of registration is listed as:
Sandoz SA (Pty) Ltd
Waterfall 5-lr
Magwa Crescent West
Waterfall City
Jukskei View
2090
Sources :
Written by: RxZest Editorial Team
Editorial review: Checked for readability, structure, and source alignment
Based on SAHPRA-approved information : TERBANE
Last updated: [03/05/2026]
Practical FAQs
Can I use TERBANE for any skin rash?
No. TERBANE is used for fungal infections of the skin only. The source lists fungal conditions such as ringworm of the body, jock itch, athlete’s foot, skin thrush, and pityriasis versicolor.
If you are not sure what is causing your rash, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using the cream.
How quickly should I see improvement?
The infection usually starts to improve within a few days of starting TERBANE.
Even if the skin looks better, you should continue using the cream regularly for the recommended treatment time. Stopping too early may allow the infection to return.
What should I do if my skin is not better after two weeks?
If your skin condition has not improved after two weeks, talk to your doctor.
Do not continue using TERBANE for longer than one month.
Can I use TERBANE while pregnant?
No. The source states that you should not use TERBANE if you are pregnant.
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning pregnancy, speak to a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider before using this medicine.
Can I use TERBANE while breastfeeding?
No. Mothers should not receive treatment with TERBANE while breastfeeding.
Terbinafine is excreted in breast milk.
Can children use TERBANE?
TERBANE is not recommended for children under 12 years.
The source states that safety in infants and children under 12 years has not been established.
Can I drive after applying TERBANE?
Yes, TERBANE should not affect your ability to drive or operate machines.
Can I drink alcohol while using TERBANE?
Alcohol use is not specified in the source.
If you are unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you are using other medicines or have other health concerns.
What happens if I apply too much?
If you apply more than a thin layer, remove some of the cream.
If you are worried about overuse or overdose, contact your doctor or pharmacist. If they are not available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre.
What if someone swallows TERBANE cream?
Go to your doctor or nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
Take the remaining medicine with you if possible. Symptoms after swallowing may include headache, nausea, dizziness, and stomach pain.
Can TERBANE catch fire?
The cream itself is not described as “catching fire”, but fabric that has been in contact with it can burn more easily.
Do not smoke or go near naked flames while using TERBANE. Clothing, bedding, gauze, and dressings that have touched the cream may be a serious fire hazard.
Should I share my TERBANE with someone who has similar symptoms?
No. Do not share medicines prescribed or supplied for you with another person.
They may have a different condition, need a different treatment, or be at risk of side effects.
