Terbinafina - skuteczny lek w terapii dermatofitoz u psów i kotów

This article aims at the presentation an effective drug for treating dermatophytosis in small animal practice. Paradoxically, despite the progress in medicine, the prevalence of fungal infections is increasing from year to year. At the beginning of the third millennium, the practical therapeutic options are still very limited. Terbinafine is an allylamine drug introduced to the pharmaceutical market at the beginning of the 21st century. It works by inhibiting the squalene epoxidase enzyme in a non-competitive manner, i.e. by blocking the synthesis of 2,3-oxydosqualene, resulting in squalene accumulation and ergosterol depletion. Terbinafine reaches the stratum corneum and hair relatively quickly, mainly through secretion into sebum, and maintains high concentrations quite long after treatment discontinuation due to its strong adherence to keratin. Scientific reports indicate the high effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats. The recommended dosage of terbinafine is 30–40 mg/kg given with food every 24 hours, for 2–3 weeks. The drug is well tolerated and the reported adverse effects are rare and mild. Furthermore, no drug interactions with terbinafine have been described. These properties place terbinafine in the leading position for the preferred treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats.