While the recent Lamisil commercial featuring Digger, a disgusting cartoon fungus, is still fresh in our mind (who could forget the imagery of a toenail being pulled back and colorful germs crawling in?) it is a good time to look at the side effects of this seemingly innocuous drug. Despite the disturbing advertising campaign, who would have guessed that an antifungal tablet could have so many negative side effects?

The drug comes in both cream and tablet form and is used to fight nail fungus, athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. It can also be used to treat tinea veriscolor, an infection that produces brown, tan, or white spots on a person’s torso. Lamisil tablets do not work right away, and the full result cannot be seen for months. Perhaps it is this necessarily long exposure period that contributes to the worst of Lamisil’s side effects. The exact side effects resulting from Lamisil cannot be anticipated because the possibilities are so diverse. Inform a doctor of any suspected side effects as soon as possible.

Lamisil tablets have been found to cause diarrhea, indigestion, rash, abdominal pain, gas, hives, itching, nausea, taste disturbances, vision problems, fatigue, flue, hair loss, joint pain, liver problems, aches, and vomiting. Vision problems resulting from Lamisil tablets have been diagnosed as serious changes and possible damage to the retina of the eye. Lamisil tablets can cause rare, possibly fatal liver disease and, in rare cases, caused severe skin reactions. Stop using Lamisil immediately if you develop a skin rash and call your doctor immediately, as these too can be fatal. Lamisil has not been tested safely on children, nor should it be used by pregnant women or women who are breast feeding.