Which species have cited Terbinafine dosing data?

Terbinafine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 6 species: African Grey Parrot, Bearded Dragon, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Guinea Pig, Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Terbinafine a controlled substance?

Terbinafine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the side effects of Terbinafine?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Terbinafine: Generally well-tolerated. May cause GI upset, hepatotoxicity (rare). Monitor liver enzymes during prolonged use.

Terbinafine

US brand names:Lamisil

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Terbinafine is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg PO q24h in bearded dragons, per McEntire MS, Reinhart JM, Allender MC, et al. Antifungal susceptibility patterns of Nannizziopsis guarroi and the single-dose pharmacokinetics of orally administered terbinafine in the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Proc Annu Conf Am Assoc Zoo Vet; 2020:25. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.223 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antifungal

Routes

POTOPICAL

Indications

Aspergillosis adjunctDermatophytosis Dermatophytosis (alternative to pulse itraconazole)Dermatophytosis (Trichophyton)Localized dermatophytosisMalassezia dermatitis (refractory)Sporotrichosis adjunctYellow fungus disease (Chrysosporium)

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits squalene epoxidase, blocking ergosterol synthesis at an earlier step than azoles. Fungicidal.

Side effects & warnings

Generally well-tolerated. May cause GI upset, hepatotoxicity (rare). Monitor liver enzymes during prolonged use.

Species with Terbinafine dosing data (10 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Bearded Dragon Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Guinea Pig Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Bearded Dragon drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Guinea Pig drugs All Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 10 dose rules

Weak×1Strong×3Moderate×3Extrapolated×3

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 10 published sources

· Balda C, Otsuka M, Gambale W et al. (2004) P-12 Comparative study of griseofulvin and terbinafine therapy in the treatment of canine and feline dermatophytosis. Veterinary Dermatology 15(S1), 44 doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00414_12.x — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.410 (2026-08-01).
· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.847 (Table 10.2, Antifungal Agents Used in Rabbits), Terbinafine row, ref 166 = Morrissey JM, Carpenter JW, Appendix: Formulary. Indication printed as 'Dermatophytosis'.
· Dahlhausen B, Lindstrom JG, Radabaugh CS. The use of terbinafine hydrochloride in the treatment of avian fungal disease. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 2000:35-39. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.428 (2026-08-01).
· Greene CE. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat, ed 3, Philadelphia, 2006, W.B. Saunders Co.. — Verified against Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th Ed, p.241 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 10 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 6 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	30–40 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th Ed, p.229 (corpus page derm 241), TERBINAFINE, DOSAGE, Cats
Cat (Domestic)	PO	20–40 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Balda C, Otsuka M, Gambale W et al. (2004) P-12 Comparative study of griseofulvin and terbinafine therapy in the treatment of canine and feline dermatophytosis. Veterinary Dermatology 15(S1), 44 doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00414_12.x — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.410 (2026-08-01).

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