Lamisil Cream (Terbinafine) vs Other Antifungal Creams: A Practical Comparison

Antifungal Cream Comparison Tool

Select Your Condition:

Your Priority:

Recommended Treatment Based on Your Needs

Select your condition and priority to get personalized recommendations.

Detailed Comparison Chart

Lamisil (Terbinafine)

Allylamine

1% Cream
1-2 Weeks
85-90% Cure
Mild Burning
£5-£7

Clotrimazole

Imidazole

1% Cream
3-4 Weeks
70-80% Cure
Rare Irritation
£2-£4

Tolnaftate

Thiocarbamate

1% Cream
2-3 Weeks
65-75% Cure
Very Low Irritation
£2-£3

Pro Tip:

Always apply antifungal creams to clean, dry skin and extend coverage slightly beyond visible symptoms. For best results, complete the full course even if symptoms improve.

Lamisil cream is a household name for treating athlete's foot, but how does it really stack up against other options? This guide breaks down the science, costs, and real‑world performance of the most popular antifungal creams so you can pick the one that fits your lifestyle.

Quick Takeaways

Lamisil (terbinafine) offers the fastest cure for dermatophyte infections, often clearing symptoms in 1-2 weeks.
Clotrimazole and miconazole are the go‑to OTC choices for mild to moderate infections and are cheaper per tube.
Ketoconazole works well for yeast‑type infections (Candida) but isn’t licensed for athlete's foot in the UK.
Tolnaftate is a good backup for people who experience skin irritation with terbinafine.
Price, treatment length, and side‑effect profile are the three decision pillars.

What is Lamisil Cream (Terbinafine)?

When you see the name Lamisil Cream is a topical antifungal medication whose active ingredient is terbinafine hydrochloride. Terbinafine belongs to the allylamine class and works by inhibiting the fungal enzyme squalene epoxidase, which stops the fungus from building its cell wall. The result is a rapid kill‑off of the dermatophytes that cause athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm.

In the UK, Lamisil 1% cream is available over the counter in a 30g tube. Clinical trials show an average cure rate of 85‑90% after 2weeks of once‑daily application, compared with roughly 70% for many older azoles.

Common Alternatives Overview

Below are the main contenders you’ll find on pharmacy shelves or online.

Clotrimazole is an imidazole antifungal that blocks ergosterol synthesis, weakening the fungal cell membrane. It’s sold as a 1% cream (e.g., Canesten) and is typically used for 4weeks.

Miconazole works similarly to clotrimazole but has a slightly broader spectrum, covering both dermatophytes and Candida. You’ll see it in 2% creams like Daktarin.

Ketoconazole is a powerful azole used for stubborn yeast infections. In the UK it requires a prescription for foot fungus, but OTC 2% versions exist in other markets.

Tolnaftate is a thiocarbamate that interferes with fungal cell membrane integrity. It’s marketed as a 1% cream (e.g., Tinactin) and is praised for low irritation potential.

Naftifine is another allylamine, similar to terbinafine, but slightly more expensive. It comes as a 1% cream (e.g., Naftin) and offers cure rates comparable to Lamisil.

Oral Terbinafine tablets (250mg) are reserved for extensive nail infections or cases where topical therapy fails. Systemic use carries a higher risk of liver enzyme elevation.

How to Choose the Right Cream - Decision Factors

Type of fungus: Dermatophytes (Tinea) respond best to allylamines (terbinafine, naftifine). Candida benefits from azoles (clotrimazole, miconazole, ketoconazole).
Treatment duration: Shorter courses (1-2weeks) improve adherence. If you struggle to remember daily application, pick a cream with the quickest cure.
Skin sensitivity: Some users develop a burning sensation with terbinafine. Tolnaftate or clotrimazole are gentler options.
Cost per treatment: OTC azoles usually cost £2‑£4 for a 30g tube, while Lamisil is around £5‑£7. Insurance may cover prescription‑only options.
Availability: If you need a cream immediately, check your local pharmacy’s stock; some hospitals keep oral terbinafine for severe cases only.

Side‑by‑Side Comparison

Key attributes of Lamisil and its main alternatives
Active Ingredient	Formulation (strength)	Typical Use	Usual Duration	Average Cure Rate	Common Side Effects	UK Price (30g)
Terbinafine	1% cream	Athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm	1‑2weeks	85‑90%	Mild burning, itching	£5‑£7
Clotrimazole	1% cream	Dermatophyte & mild Candida	3‑4weeks	70‑80%	Rare irritation	£2‑£4
Miconazole	2% cream	Dermatophyte & Candida	2‑4weeks	75‑85%	Itching, local redness	£3‑£5
Ketoconazole	2% cream (prescription)	Yeast infections, some dermatophytes	2‑4weeks	80‑90% (yeast)	Skin irritation, rare hepatic effect	£6‑£9
Tolnaftate	1% cream	Dermatophyte mild cases	2‑3weeks	65‑75%	Very low; occasional itching	£2‑£3
Naftifine	1% cream	Dermatophyte, some Candida	1‑2weeks	80‑85%	Burning, dryness	£7‑£9

Best Use Cases - Who Should Pick Which Cream?

Fast‑track athletes or busy professionals: If you need a cure in under two weeks and can tolerate a mild sting, Lamisil or Naftifine are the top picks.

Budget‑conscious families: Clotrimazole and Tolnaftate give acceptable results for far less money, especially for mild foot‑scale infections.

Skin‑sensitive users: Start with Tolnaftate or a low‑irritation clotrimazole formulation; move to terbinafine only if the infection persists.

Yeast‑dominant infections: Switch to miconazole or ketoconazole, which target Candida more effectively than allylamines.

Severe or nail‑involved cases: Oral terbinafine under doctor supervision is the standard, with topical therapy as an adjunct.

Tips, Pitfalls, and Pro‑Tips

Apply the cream to clean, dry skin and extend a few millimetres beyond the visible edge - fungi creep under the margin.
Keep feet dry; moisture is a fungus‑friend. Use talc or a breathable sock after each application.
Don’t stop treatment early because symptoms improve; unfinished courses raise relapse risk.
If you notice persistent redness, swelling, or blisters, stop the product and see a pharmacist - it could be a secondary bacterial infection.
Store creams at room temperature; extreme heat can degrade the active ingredient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Lamisil cream on fungal nail infections?

Topical terbinafine works very slowly on nails because the drug must penetrate the hard keratin. For toenail onychomycosis, oral terbinafine tablets (250mg daily for 6weeks) are far more effective. A cream may help early‑stage nail involvement but expect a cure rate below 30%.

Is it safe to use Lamisil while pregnant?

Terbinafine is classified as FDA Category B (no proven risk in animal studies, but human data are limited). In the UK, the guidelines advise avoiding topical terbinafine in the first trimester unless the benefit outweighs the potential risk. Always discuss with your midwife or GP.

How long should I wait before switching to another cream?

Give the first product at least 7days of consistent use. If there’s no improvement in redness, itching, or scaling after a week, you can switch to an alternative-preferably one with a different mechanism (e.g., from allylamine to azole).

Do antifungal creams kill bacteria that cause secondary infections?

No. Antifungal agents target fungal cell walls, not bacterial components. If you suspect a secondary bacterial infection (pus, increasing warmth), add a topical antibiotic or see a pharmacist for a combined cream.

Can I apply Lamisil cream to other body parts like the groin?

Yes, terbinafine 1% cream is approved for jock itch (tinea cruris). The dosage and duration are the same-once daily for up to 2weeks. Make sure the area is clean and dry before each application.