GRISEOFULVIN

Oral antifungal medicine reserved for widespread infections of the skin, scalp, and nails and those resistant to topical antifungal medicines

Dosage Forms

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Tablets

125 mg
500 mg

Uses

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  • Fungal infection of skin, scalp, and nail
  • Athletes foot
  • Ringworm

Dose and Duration

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Fungal infection and ringworm
  • Adult: 500 mg once daily
  • Child: 10 mg/kg daily in 1–2 divided doses
  • Hair and skin: 2–6 weeks
  • Nails: 6–12 months or until nails appear normal
Athletes foot
10 mg/kg daily (Maximum 500 mg) in 1–2 divided doses. Use until response occurs. Double the dose in severe infections.

Contraindications

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  • Tinea versicolor
  • Tinea nigra
  • Candida infections
  • Allergy to griseofulvin
  • Severe liver disease

Side Effects

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  • Headache, dizziness, nerve pain in feet and hands
  • Skin rash
  • Stomach upset
  • Blood disorders
  • Severe liver disease

Interactions

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  • Oral contraceptives (reduced contraceptive effect)
  • Alcohol (enhanced alcohol effect)

Patient Instructions

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  • Take with food
  • Avoid alcohol while on treatment
  • Long duration of treatment is necessary as the fungi are very tough to eliminate. Compliance is important to avoid recurrence and ensure complete healing
  • Avoid pregnancy while on treatment. Men should not father children while on treatment and for at least 6 months after completion
  • May impair ability to perform skilled tasks, such as driving and operating machinery
  • Keep feet clean and dry

Pregnancy

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  • Do not use

Breast-feeding

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  • Do not use

⚠️ Caution

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  • Used in combination with gentian violet or clotrimazole cream
  • Effective contraception is required during treatment and for at least 1 month after administration in women
  • Do not use for prophylaxis