TL;DR: Oral terbinafine clears toenail fungus in 60–70% of patients. Visible improvement begins around month 4–6, and full nail regrowth takes 12–18 months. STRIDE provides licensed U.S. medical evaluation and prescription treatment plans ranging from $129 to $210, using pulse therapy protocols designed to reduce side effects and minimize liver stress when clinically appropriate.
If over-the-counter treatments haven’t worked, it’s not your fault. Most OTC products can’t penetrate beneath the nail plate — where the fungus actually lives.
Prescription treatment is what clears true infections.
Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is a deep fungal infection under the nail. Once it involves the nail matrix (growth center), drugstore creams rarely succeed.
Prescription treatments fall into two main categories:
These medications work systemically through the bloodstream to eliminate fungus at its source.
| Treatment | Complete Cure Rate | Treatment Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Terbinafine | 59–70% | 12–16 weeks (standard) |
| Oral Itraconazole | ~63% | Pulse therapy |
Oral terbinafine remains the gold standard because of its high cure rate and favorable safety profile.
Traditional terbinafine dosing is 250mg daily for 12 weeks.
STRIDE providers may use pulse therapy protocols when clinically appropriate, meaning medication is taken in cycles rather than continuously.
Pulse therapy is designed to:
Terbinafine accumulates in the nail keratin and continues working even during off-cycle periods. This allows for therapeutic effectiveness while potentially reducing overall systemic exposure.
All STRIDE patients are medically screened before treatment. If oral medication is prescribed, providers evaluate liver history, medication interactions, and overall risk factors.
Prescription treatment is typically recommended if:
The longer the infection persists, the harder it becomes to treat.
| Provider | Can Prescribe Oral | Wait Time | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Podiatrist | Yes | 1–3 weeks | $150–300+ |
| Dermatologist | Yes | 4–8 weeks | $200–400+ |
| Primary Care | Yes | 1–2 weeks | $100–200 |
| Retail Clinic | Yes | Same day | $89–149 |
| STRIDE | Yes | 15–60 minutes | $129–$210 |
In-person visits may involve additional lab charges, pharmacy variability, and scheduling delays.
STRIDE streamlines the process.
STRIDE connects you with licensed U.S. medical providers online.
Most evaluations are completed within 15–60 minutes.
STRIDE treatment plans range from:
This includes:
No surprise office bills.
No separate lab charges added later.
No pharmacy markups.
For many patients, STRIDE offers more predictable pricing than traditional in-office care once copays, labs, and pharmacy costs are added.
Side effects are uncommon and typically mild. Liver screening and medical review are performed before prescribing when indicated.
For severe or long-standing infections, combining oral therapy with a prescription topical can improve outcomes.
Combination therapy may be appropriate when:
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> 50% nail involvement
STRIDE providers assess each case individually.
This is where patients often get discouraged.
Toenails grow slowly — about 1.5mm per month.
Visible improvement takes time. Stopping early is the most common reason treatment fails.
Recurrence rates:
Prevention includes:
When appropriately selected, pulse therapy can maintain effectiveness while reducing overall systemic exposure. Your STRIDE provider determines if it is appropriate for your case.
Yes. Oral terbinafine is significantly more effective than topical monotherapy.
Medication lasts weeks. Nail regrowth takes 12–18 months.
Yes — through licensed providers. STRIDE offers compliant telehealth medical evaluation and prescription access.