Griseofulvin Uses

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• Griseofulvin indications
• Uses of Griseofulvin in details
• Griseofulvin description
• Griseofulvin dosage
• Griseofulvin interactions
• Griseofulvin side effects
• Griseofulvin contraindications

What is Griseofulvin?

Griseofulvin belongs to the group of medicines called antifungals. It is used to treat fungus infections of the body, feet, groin and thighs, scalp, skin, fingernails, and toenails. Griseofulvin may be taken alone or used along with medicines that are applied to the skin for fungus infections.

Use of Griseofulvin for prevention of fungus infection have not been established.

Griseofulvin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Griseofulvin indications

Major indications for Griseofulvin (Griseofulvin microsize) are:

Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp)

Tinea corporis (ringworm of the body)

Tinea pedis (athlete's foot)

Tinea unguium (onychomycosis; ringworm of the nails)

Tinea cruris (ringworm of the thigh)

Tinea barbae (barber's itch)

Griseofulvin (Griseofulvin microsize) inhibits the growth of those genera of fungi that commonly cause ringworm infections of the hair, skin, and nails, such as:

Trichophyton rubrum

Trichophyton tonsurans

Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Trichophyton interdigitalis

Trichophyton verrucosum

Trichophyton sulphureum

Trichophyton schoenleini

Microsporum audouini

Microsporum canis

Microsporum gypseum

Epidermophyton floccosum

Trichophyton megnini

Trichophyton gallinae

Trichophyton crateriform

Note: Prior to therapy, the type of fungi responsible for the infection should be identified. The use of the drug is not justified in minor or trivial infections which will respond to topical anti-fungal agents alone.

It is not effective in:

Bacterial infections

Candidiasism (Moniliasis)

Histoplasmosis

Actinomycosis

Sporotrichosis

Chromoblastomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis

North American Blastomycosis

Cryptococcosis (Torulosis)

Tinea versicolor

Nocardiosis

How should I use Griseofulvin?

Use Griseofulvin ultramicrosize tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Griseofulvin ultramicrosize tablets by mouth with or without food.
• Swallow Griseofulvin ultramicrosize tablets whole.
• You may also crush Griseofulvin ultramicrosize tablets and sprinkle it onto 1 tablespoonful of applesauce. Mix the medicine with the applesauce and swallow the mixture right away without chewing.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Griseofulvin ultramicrosize tablets for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Griseofulvin ultramicrosize tablets, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Griseofulvin ultramicrosize tablets.

Uses of Griseofulvin in details

Griseofulvin is used to treat infections caused by fungus such as ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch, and fungal infections of the skin of scalp, fingernails, or toenails.

Griseofulvin description

Griseofulvin is a synthetic over-the-counter anti-fungal agent. It may come as a cream, powder, spray, or liquid aerosol, and is used to treat jock itch, athlete's foot and ringworm. It is sold under several brand names, most notably Tinactin (Schering-Plough Corporation) and Odor Eaters (Combe Incorporated). Other brands are Absorbine, Aftate, Desenex, Genaspor, NP 27, and Ting.

Griseofulvin dosage

Accurate diagnosis of the infecting organism is essential. Identification should be made either by direct microscopic examination of a mounting of infected tissue in a solution of potassium hydroxide or by culture on an appropriate medium.

Medication must be continued until the infecting organism is completely eradicated as indicated by appropriate clinical or laboratory examination. Representative treatment periods are tinea capitis, 4 to 6 weeks; tinea corporis, 2to 4 weeks; tinea pedis, 4 to 8 weeks; tinea unguium - depending on rate of growth - fingernails, at least 4 months; toenails, at least 6months.

General measures in regard to hygiene should be observed to control sources of infection or reinfection. Concomitant use of appropriate topical agents is usually required, particularly in treatment of tinea pedis since in some forms of athlete's foot, yeasts and bacteria may be involved. Griseofulvin will not eradicate the bacterial or monilial infection.

Adults: A daily dose of 500 mg will give a satisfactory response in most patients with tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea capitis.

For those fungus infections more difficult to eradicate such as tinea pedis and tinea unguium, a daily dose of 1.0 gram is recommended.

Children:Approximately 5 mg per pound of body weight per day is an effective dose for most children. On this basis the following dosage schedule for children is suggested:

Children weighing 30 to 50 pounds - 125 mg to 250 mg daily.

Children weighing over 50 pounds - 250mg to 500 mg daily.

How supplied

Griseofulvin (Griseofulvin microsize) 250 mg Tablets in bottles of 100 (NDC 0062-0211-60) (white, scored, imprinted "ORTHO 211").

Griseofulvin (Griseofulvin microsize) 500 mg Tablets in bottles of 100 (NDC 0062-0214-60) and 500 (NDC 0062-0214-70) (white, scored, imprinted "ORTHO 214").

Dispense Griseofulvin (Griseofulvin microsize) Tablets in a tight container as defined in the USP.

Griseofulvin (Griseofulvin microsize) Suspension 125 mg per 5 mL in bottles of 4 fl oz (120 mL) (NDC 0062-0206-04).

Dispense Griseofulvin (Griseofulvin microsize) Suspension in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP.

STORE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

DERMATOLOGICAL DIVISION, ORTHO PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION, Raritan, New Jersey 08869. Revised January 1997. FDA Rev date: n/a

Griseofulvin interactions

See also:
What other drugs will affect Griseofulvin?

Patients on warfarin-type anticoagulant therapy may require dosage adjustment of the anticoagulant during and after Griseofulvin therapy. Concomitant use of barbiturates usually depresses Griseofulvin activity and may necessitate raising the dosage.

The concomitant administration of Griseofulvin has been reported to reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives and to increase the incidence of breakthrough bleeding.

Griseofulvin side effects

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Griseofulvin?

Applies to Griseofulvin: oral capsule, oral suspension, oral tablet

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by Griseofulvin (the active ingredient contained in Griseofulvin). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking Griseofulvin:

More common:

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• fever
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• red, irritated eyes
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• unusual tiredness or weakness

• Confusion
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• skin rash, hives, or itching
• soreness or irritation of the mouth or tongue

• Black, tarry stools
• chest pain
• cloudy urine
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• painful or difficult urination
• shortness of breath
• swollen glands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• yellow eyes or skin

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• clay-colored stools
• dark urine
• dizziness
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• unpleasant breath odor
• vomiting of blood

Minor Side Effects

Some of the side effects that can occur with Griseofulvin may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

More common:

• Hives or welts
• redness of the skin

• Trouble with sleeping

• Heartburn
• pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
• sleeplessness
• unable to sleep
• white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
• white patches with diaper rash

Griseofulvin contraindications

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Griseofulvin?

Griseofulvin is contraindicated in patients with porphyria or hepatocellular failure, and in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to Griseofulvin.

Griseofulvin may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Two published cases of conjoined twins have been reported in patients taking Griseofulvin during the first trimester of pregnancy, therefore, Griseofulvin is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant during treatment. Women taking estrogen-containing oral contraceptives may be at increased risk of becoming pregnant while on Griseofulvin. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Although no direct causal relationship has been established, spontaneous abortion has been reported rarely coincident with the use of Griseofulvin. Note: The Maximum Recommended Human Dose (MRHD) was set at 500 mg/day for the multiple of human exposure calculations performed in this label. If higher doses than 500 mg/day were used clinically, then the multiple of human exposure would be correspondingly reduced for that dose. For example, if a 1000 mg/day dose was administered to an individual, then the multiple of human exposure would be reduced by a factor of 2.

Griseofulvin has been shown to be embryotoxic and teratogenic in pregnant rats when given at a daily oral dose of 250 mg/kg/day [4X the Maximum Recommended Human Dose (MRHD) based on Body Surface Area (BSA)]. Griseofulvin also has been shown to be embryotoxic and teratogenic in pregnant cats treated weekly with Griseofulvin at doses of 500 to 1000 mg/week. There are reports of teratogenicity in a Golden Retriever when doses of 750 mg/day [1.2X the MRHD based on BSA] were administered for four weeks prior to and throughout the pregnancy, and in a study in which beagles were administered 35 mg/kg/day [1.9X the MRHD based on BSA] for intervals from one week up to the entire gestation period. Teratogenicity was also seen in mice when Griseofulvin was administered in doses equivalent to 5g/kg/day [40X the MRHD based on BSA] for 2 consecutive days at various stages of the pregnancy.

Active ingredient matches for Griseofulvin:

Griseofulvin

References

1. DailyMed. "GRISEOFULVIN, ULTRAMICROSIZE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
2. PubChem. "griseofulvin". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).
3. DrugBank. "griseofulvin". http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00400 (accessed September 17, 2018).

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Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology