Griseofulvin: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Griseofulvin is an antifungal medicine used to treat certain ringworm infections affecting the skin, hair and nails. It is most commonly prescribed when dermatophyte fungi cause infections such as athlete's foot, scalp ringworm or nail infection. Griseofulvin requires a prescription in the United Kingdom, and no generic version is listed as available.

Griseofulvin is indicated for ringworm infections caused by certain dermatophyte fungi. These include tinea corporis, or ringworm of the body; tinea pedis, or athlete's foot; tinea cruris, or ringworm of the groin and thigh; tinea barbae, also called barber's itch; tinea capitis, or ringworm of the scalp; and tinea unguium, also called fungal nail infection or onychomycosis. The infecting fungus should be identified before treatment.

Griseofulvin is not effective for bacterial infections, candidiasis, histoplasmosis, actinomycosis, sporotrichosis, chromoblastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, North American blastomycosis, cryptococcosis, tinea versicolor or nocardiosis. Minor infections that respond to topical treatment alone are not an appropriate reason for its use.

Griseofulvin is an antifungal medicine. It works mainly against dermatophytes, the fungi responsible for many ringworm infections of the skin, hair and nails. The medicine becomes associated with newly formed keratin, the structural protein in these tissues, helping make newly produced tissue less suitable for fungal growth.

Existing infected tissue is not immediately cleared, so treatment continues while healthy tissue replaces it and the infected material grows out. This helps explain why infections of the scalp and nails can require longer treatment than infections on the body. Griseofulvin does not treat bacterial or yeast infections, so it is suitable only when the responsible organism is an appropriate susceptible fungus.

The label lists oral suspension containing 125 mg/5 mL and oral tablets containing 125 mg, 165 mg, 250 mg and 500 mg; coated tablets contain 125 mg and 250 mg. The usual starting dose is 375 mg daily for many adults with tinea corporis, tinea cruris or tinea capitis. The label lists 750 mg in divided doses for more difficult infections such as tinea pedis and tinea unguium.

The label lists approximately 7.3 mg per kg of body weight per day for most paediatric patients. The label lists 125 mg to 187.5 mg daily for children weighing 16-27 kg and 187.5 mg to 375 mg daily for children over 27 kg.

The label lists treatment periods of 4 to 6 weeks for tinea capitis, 2 to 4 weeks for tinea corporis, 4 to 8 weeks for tinea pedis, at least 4 months for fingernail infection and at least 6 months for toenail infection. Dosage has not been established for children and infants 2 years of age and younger.

A missed dose can reduce the continuity of antifungal treatment. Standard pharmacy advice is to take the missed dose when remembered unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose, then continue the usual schedule. A double dose should not be used to compensate.

The label states that treatment must continue until the infecting organism is completely eradicated, because clinical relapse can occur if treatment stops too soon. A pharmacist or doctor can advise if several doses have been missed.

Griseofulvin should not be prescribed to pregnant patients. The label reports potential fetal hazard and describes embryotoxic and teratogenic findings in pregnant rats.

If pregnancy occurs during treatment, the potential hazard to the fetus should be discussed promptly with a doctor. The label does not specify lactation data, so breastfeeding should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.

No specific storage temperature, light or moisture conditions are listed on the label. Keep the medicine in its original container, closed and dry, away from excessive heat and moisture, and out of the sight and reach of children. Follow any storage directions on the dispensing label to maintain quality.