Drug points: Parotid swelling and terbinafine

Abstract

Terbinafine is an effective antimycotic agent of the allylamine type which inhibits the enzyme squalene epoxidase.1 It is generally well tolerated, although taste disturbance occurs in about 1 in 800 cases2 and various skin reactions and hepatobiliary effects have been noted.3 A 38 year old man presented with a painful right ear 15 days after taking terbinafine 250 mg daily for tinea cruris. On examination a …