Lamisil Once 1% - Cutaneous Solution

What Is Lamisil Once Athlete's Foot Treatment?

Athlete's foot is one of the most common fungal skin infections in the UK, affecting millions of people every year. It's caused by dermatophyte fungi that thrive in warm, moist environments — think changing rooms, swimming pools, and sweaty trainers. The good news? You don't need a lengthy treatment course to tackle it. Lamisil Once athlete's foot treatment is a single-application cutaneous solution containing terbinafine hydrochloride 1%, designed to treat mild to moderate tinea pedis with just one use. You can find it alongside other effective options in our athletes foot and fungal infections collection.

The solution works by forming a film on the skin's surface that slowly releases the active ingredient over several days. That means one careful application does the work of a week-long cream regimen. It's a genuinely convenient option for people who struggle with remembering daily treatments or who want a discreet, fast-acting solution.

How Does Lamisil Once Cutaneous Solution Work?

Terbinafine, the active ingredient in Lamisil Once, belongs to the allylamine class of antifungals. It targets a specific enzyme in the fungal cell called squalene epoxidase. Here's what happens at a cellular level:

• Terbinafine inhibits squalene epoxidase, blocking the production of ergosterol — an essential component of the fungal cell membrane.
• Without ergosterol, the fungal cell membrane becomes unstable and breaks down.
• Squalene accumulates inside the fungal cell to toxic levels, accelerating cell death.
• The film-forming vehicle in Lamisil Once holds terbinafine at the skin surface, allowing sustained release over 13 days from a single application.

This mechanism is fungicidal — meaning it actively kills the fungus rather than simply stopping it from growing. That's why a single dose can be clinically effective when applied correctly.

Who Should Use Lamisil Once Cutaneous Solution?

Lamisil Once is suitable for adults and young people aged 12 and over who have mild to moderate athlete's foot affecting the soles and spaces between the toes. It's particularly well-suited to people who want a no-fuss, one-time treatment rather than a daily cream routine. That said, it's not appropriate for everyone.

It may be right for you if:

• You have confirmed or suspected tinea pedis (athlete's foot) affecting the skin of the feet.
• You are aged 12 or over.
• Your infection is limited to the skin — not the toenails or scalp.
• You prefer a single-application format over daily topical creams.

It is not suitable for children under 12, and you should seek medical advice before using it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a known sensitivity to terbinafine.

How Does Lamisil Once Compare to Other Athlete's Foot Treatments?

Is Lamisil Once Suitable for All Skin Types and How Should It Be Stored?

Lamisil Once athlete's foot treatment is generally well tolerated across different skin types, though it should not be applied to broken, cracked, or severely inflamed skin. If your skin is significantly damaged, speak to your pharmacist or GP before use. The solution is for external use only — keep it away from your eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes. If accidental contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.

Store Lamisil Once below 25°C, away from direct heat and sunlight. The solution is flammable, so keep it away from naked flames and do not puncture or incinerate the container. Keep it out of reach of children. If you're looking for complementary foot care products to support your recovery — such as moisture-wicking socks or foot powders — browse our dedicated foot care range.

This product is a medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Is Lamisil Once and What Is It Used For?

Lamisil Once 1% cutaneous solution is an over-the-counter antifungal medicine used to treat athlete's foot (tinea pedis) in adults and young people aged 12 and over. Athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection that typically causes itching, scaling, redness, and sometimes cracking of the skin between the toes and on the soles of the feet. According to the NHS, athlete's foot is very common and can usually be treated effectively with antifungal medicines available without a prescription.

The active ingredient, terbinafine hydrochloride 1%, is a well-established antifungal that kills the fungi responsible for the infection. Lamisil Once is specifically formulated as a single-application treatment — you apply it once, and the film-forming solution continues to release terbinafine into the skin for up to 13 days. It does not treat fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) or scalp ringworm.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Lamisil Once?

Before applying Lamisil Once, read the following carefully. There are situations where this product is not appropriate or where extra caution is needed.

Do not use Lamisil Once if you:

• Are allergic to terbinafine hydrochloride or any other ingredient in the solution.
• Are under 12 years of age.
• Have a fungal infection of the toenails or scalp — this product is not effective for those conditions.
• Have severely broken, blistered, or infected skin at the application site.

Speak to your pharmacist or GP before use if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Have a known liver condition.
• Have previously had an allergic reaction to any antifungal medicine.
• Are using any other topical medicines on your feet at the same time.

Drug interactions:

• No clinically significant drug interactions are known for topical terbinafine at this concentration, as systemic absorption is minimal.
• If you are taking oral antifungal medicines concurrently, inform your pharmacist.

How Should You Use Lamisil Once Correctly?

Correct application is essential for Lamisil Once to work effectively. Because it's a single-use treatment, getting the technique right the first time really matters. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Wash both feet thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them completely — including between the toes.
2. Open the bottle and apply the solution evenly across the entire sole of one foot, between all the toes, and up the sides of the foot to about 1.5 cm above the sole.
3. Repeat on the other foot using the remaining solution.
4. Allow the solution to dry on the skin for 1–2 minutes. Do not rub it in.
5. Do not wash the treated areas for at least 24 hours after application.
6. Dispose of the empty bottle safely after use — do not reuse.

If your symptoms have not improved within one week of application, or if they worsen at any point, stop use and consult your pharmacist or GP. You may also find it helpful to browse our range of skin care products for supportive skincare during recovery.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Lamisil Once?

Like all medicines, Lamisil Once can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Most side effects are mild and localised to the area of application.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Mild skin irritation at the application site
• Transient burning or stinging sensation
• Redness (erythema) of the treated skin

Less common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Skin peeling or flaking at the application site
• Contact dermatitis (allergic skin reaction)
• Blistering of the skin

If you develop signs of a serious allergic reaction — such as widespread rash, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing — stop use immediately and seek emergency medical attention. Serious reactions to topical terbinafine are rare but have been reported.

How Should You Store Lamisil Once?

Proper storage helps maintain the integrity of the solution and keeps it safe for use.

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place.
• Keep away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.
• The solution is flammable — keep away from naked flames and do not smoke while applying.
• Do not puncture or incinerate the container, even when empty.
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
• Do not store in a bathroom or near a sink where humidity is high.

If you have any unused or expired medicines, do not dispose of them via household waste or down the sink. Return them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. For other conditions that may accompany fungal infections — such as excessive sweating, which can worsen athlete's foot — take a look at our excessive sweating range for supportive options.