Formulary
Griseofulvin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Griseofulvin clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Griseofulvin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Griseofulvin clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Tinea pedis**
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply 400 micrograms once daily, apply to an area approximately 13 cm 2 ; increased if necessary to 1.2 mg once daily for maximum treatment duration of 4 weeks, allow each spray to dry between application.
**Dermatophyte infections of the skin, scalp, hair and nails where topical therapy has failed or is inappropriate**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 500 mg daily, increased if necessary to 1 g daily, for severe infections; reduce dose when response occurs, daily dose may be taken once daily or in divided doses.
**Tinea capitis caused byTrichophyton tonsurans**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans 1 g once daily, alternatively 1 g daily in divided doses.
**Dermatophyte infections of the skin, scalp, hair and nails where topical therapy has failed or is inappropriate for griseofulvin**
- **Child 1 month-11 years** (By mouth): Usual dose 10 mg/kg daily (max. per dose 500 mg), increased if necessary to 20 mg/kg daily (max. per dose 1 g), for severe infections; reduce dose when response occurs, daily dose may be taken once daily or in divided doses.
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): 500 mg daily, increased if necessary to 1 g daily, for severe infections; reduce dose when response occurs, daily dose may be taken once daily or in divided doses.
**Tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans for griseofulvin**
- **Child 1 month-11 years** (By mouth): 15-20 mg/kg once daily (max. per dose 1 g), alternatively 15-20 mg/kg daily in divided doses (max. per dose 1 g).
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): 1 g once daily, alternatively 1 g daily in divided doses.
Cautions
With topical use Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes
Contraindications
With oral use Acute porphyrias ; systemic lupus erythematosus (risk of exacerbation)
Side effects
Common or very common With oral use Diarrhoea; epigastric discomfort; headache; nausea; vomiting Uncommon With oral use Appetite decreased; confusion; coordination abnormal; dizziness; drowsiness; insomnia; irritability; peripheral neuropathy; photosensitivity reaction; skin reactions; taste altered; toxic epidermal necrolysis Rare or very rare With oral use Anaemia; hepatic disorders; leucopenia; neutropenia; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Frequency not known With topical use Paraesthesia; skin irritation
Interactions
**Other interactions (6):**
- Griseofulvin may decrease the blood level and hence efficacy of certain drugs, which are metabolised by cytochrome P450 3A4.
- These include oral contraceptives, coumarin anticoagulants and cyclosporin.
- Additional contraceptive precautions should be taken during griseofulvin treatment and for a month after stopping griseofulvin.
- Absorption of griseofulvin is inhibited when phenobarbitone is taken concurrently.
- The blood level, and hence efficacy, of griseofulvin may also be impaired as the result of concurrent administration of substances such as phenylbutazone and sedative and hypnotic drugs which induce...
- Patients should be warned that an enhancement of the effects of alcohol by griseofulvin has been reported.
Pregnancy
With topical use: Manufacturer advises avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk. With oral use: Avoid (fetotoxicity and teratogenicity in animals ).
Breast feeding
With topical use: Manufacturer advises avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk. With oral use: Avoid-no information available.
Hepatic impairment
With oral use: Manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate impairment (risk of deterioration); avoid in severe impairment.
Medicinal forms
Suspension
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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