What Factors Affect Lamisil® Dosage?

There are a few different factors that doctors will consider when determining the correct Lamisil® dosage for a patient. One of the most important factors is the location of the fungal infection. Doctors will also assess the overall health of a patient, and if he or she is taking another medication that can interfere with Lamisil®, the doctor may need to adjust the dosage. For pediatric patients, weight is also a consideration when determining the proper Lamisil® dosage.

Lamisil® is used to treat some fungal infections that occur under the nails or in the hair follicles. Patients with infections under the fingernails are generally prescribed 250 milligrams of Lamisil® once a day for six weeks. For the treatment of toenail fungal infections, patients will take this same dosage for twice as long. Extended treatment of toenail infections is necessary to allow the infected part of the nail to grow to a safe distance away from the nail bed so that the infection doesn't take hold again.

Fungal infections of the hair follicles on the scalp can also be treated with Lamisil®. These infections mainly occur in pediatric patients. In order to determine the proper Lamisil® dosage for this condition, doctors will consider the child's weight, and smaller children will be given a lower dosage of this medication. Doctors may also consider the age or overall health of the child when determining how much of the medication to prescribe.

Patients should be in good general health when taking Lamisil®. A patient who needs to take this medication but who has a preexisting condition, may need an adjusted Lamisil® dosage. Doctors will often attempt to prescribe the lowest dose that is likely to be effective, and patients who take a lower dose may need to be treated for longer in order to make certain that the infection has been eliminated. Patients who receive a lower dose, may need to check with a doctor periodically in order to make sure the medication is working properly.

It is possible for Lamisil® to interact with other medications that a patient is taking. In some cases, Lamisil® will cause the effects of another medication to become more pronounced or vice versa. In these cases, patients may receive a lower Lamisil® dosage than they would normally. Other interactions can diminish the effects of Lamisil®, making it necessary for doctors to prescribe a larger daily dose.