Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LAMISIL AT versus NYSTOP.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LAMISIL AT versus NYSTOP.
LAMISIL AT vs NYSTOP
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Terbinafine inhibits squalene epoxidase, an enzyme in the fungal ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. This leads to accumulation of squalene and depletion of ergosterol, disrupting fungal cell membrane integrity and causing cell death.
Nystatin binds to ergosterol in fungal cell membranes, forming pores that disrupt membrane integrity, leading to leakage of intracellular ions and cell death.
Terbinafine 250 mg orally once daily for 6 weeks for fingernail onychomycosis or 12 weeks for toenail onychomycosis. Topical: 1% cream applied once daily for 1 week for tinea pedis; 1% solution applied once daily for 1 week for tinea corporis/cruris.
Apply a thin layer to affected area 2-3 times daily or as directed. Nystatin is not absorbed systemically; topical use only.
None Documented
None Documented
The terminal elimination half-life is approximately 11-17 hours in healthy adults; however, it increases to about 200-400 hours in the distribution phase from tissues (e.g., skin, adipose). Steady-state is reached after 10-14 days of oral dosing.
Not applicable for systemic pharmacokinetics due to minimal absorption; local half-life on mucosal surfaces is not defined. For intravenous administration (not approved), the terminal half-life is approximately 2-4 hours, but this route is not clinically used.
Terbinafine is extensively metabolized in the liver; approximately 80% of a dose is excreted in urine as metabolites, and 20% in feces. Less than 1% is excreted unchanged in urine.
Nystatin is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or intact skin/mucous membranes; when administered topically or orally, it is excreted almost entirely in feces as unchanged drug (>99%). Less than 1% is excreted renally if ingested. No quantified biliary excretion reported.
Category C
Category C
Antifungal
Antifungal