Griseofulvin

Indications

Griseofulvin is used for: Dermatophytosis

Adult Dose

Oral Dermatophytosis Adult: 0.5-1 g daily in single or divided doses. Treatment duration: 2-8 wk (hair and skin infections); up to 6 mth (fingernail infections); >12 mth (toenail infections).

Child Dose

Oral Dermatophytosis Child: PO 20–25 mg/kg q24h

Renal Dose

Administration

Should be taken with food. Take immediately after meals.

Contra Indications

Severe liver disease; porphyria; monilial infection; SLE; pregnancy.

Precautions

Lactation; may impair ability to drive or operate machinery; avoid exposure to intense sunlight or artificial light. Regular monitoring of the renal, hepatic and blood tests should be done. Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; avoid use because of potential tumorigenicity

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy category: X; no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, but animal studies have shown embryotoxic and teratogenic effects Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; avoid use because of potential tumorigenicity

Interactions

Antagonises oral anticoagulants and oral contraceptives. Decreased GI absorption with phenobarbital. Reduced plasma concentrations with enzyme inducers e.g. phenylbutazone and hypnotics. Potentially Fatal: Enhances effects of alcohol and causes disulfiram-like reaction.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Griseofulvin : Oral thrush; GI distress, taste perversion; dizziness, confusion, headache, depression, insomnia, fatigue; peripheral neuritis, photosensitivity; skin rashes, urticaria, erythema multiforme; leucopenia, proteinuria. Potentially Fatal: Hepatotoxicity; angioedema.

Mechanism of Action

Griseofulvin is a fungistatic antibiotic that inhibits fungal cell division at metaphase and binds to human keratin making it resistant to fungal infections. It has activity against common dermatophytes including epidermophyton, Microsporum, or Trichophyton spp.