Two medicines, side by side
Tolnaftate vs terbinafine
Tolnaftate and terbinafine are both labeled for fungal infections. Pharmacies paid $0.119 per gram (Tolnaftate 1% cream) and $0.143 per terbinafine HCl 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the tolnaftate FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2026); the terbinafine FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 17, 2025).
Highlights of the tolnaftate record
Tolnaftate · label of January 29, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsproven clinically effective in the treatment of most athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and ringworm (tinea corporis) helps prevent most athlete’s foot with daily use for effective relief of itching, burning, and cracking
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.119 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the terbinafine record
Terbinafine (Lamisil) · label of October 17, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE Terbinafine tablets are indicated for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to dermatophytes (tinea unguium). Prior to initiating treatment, appropriate nail specimens for laboratory testing [potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation, fungal culture, or nail biopsy] should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis of onychomycosis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.143 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Tolnaftate label of January 29, 2026, Terbinafine label of October 17, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tolnaftate and terbinafine differ on the record?
Generics: tolnaftate none approved; terbinafine since 2007 (Drugs@FDA).
| Tolnaftate | Terbinafine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Allylamine Antifungal |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Terbinafine is an allylamine antifungal [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | eady-state, in comparison to a single dose, the peak concentration of terbinafine is 25% higher and plasma AUC increases by a factor of 2.5; … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | December 30, 1992 |
| First generic approved | none | July 2, 2007 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 39 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.119 per gram (Tolnaftate 1% cream) | $0.143 per tablet (Terbinafine HCl 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +7% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,394 | 8,847 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to tolnaftate
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions