Griseofulvin

  • Brand Name : Grifulvin V
  • Drug Class : N/A
  • Medical Author : John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
  • Medical Reviewer :
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What Is Griseofulvin and How Does It Work?

Griseofulvin is a prescription drug indicated for the treatment of the following ringworm infections: tinea corporis (ringworm of the body), tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), tinea cruris (ringworm of the groin and thigh), tinea barbae (barber’s itch), tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp), and tinea unguium (onychomycosis, ringworm of the nails), when caused by one or more of the following genera of fungi: Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton interdigitalis, Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton megnini, Trichophyton gallinae, Trichophyton crateriform, Trichophyton sulphureum, Trichophyton schoenleini, Microsporum audouini, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Epidermophyton floccosum

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 agents alone. Griseofulvin is not effective in the following: bacterial infections, candidiasis (moniliasis), histoplasmosis, actinomycosis, sporotrichosis, chromoblastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, North American blastomycosis, cryptococcosis (torulosis), tinea versicolor and nocardiosis.

  • Griseofulvin is available under the following different brand names: Grifulvin V and Gris-PEG.

What Are Dosages of Griseofulvin?

Dosages of Griseofulvin:

Adult and Pediatric Dosages:

Oral suspension, microsize

  • 125 mg/5 ml

Tablet, microsize

  • 500 mg (Grifulvin V)

Tablet, ultramicrosize

  • 125 mg (Gris-PEG)
  • 250 mg (Gris-PEG)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Tinea Infection

  • Infections affecting skin, body, hair/beard, or nails
  • Microsize
  • Adult:
    • Tinea corporis, cruris, or capitis: 500 mg/day orally
    • Tinea pedis or unguium: 1000 mg/day orally as a single daily dose or divided every 12 hours
  • Pediatric:
    • Children under 2 years old: safety and efficacy not established
    • 11 mg/kg/day orally as a single dose or divided every 12 hours
    • Children 13.6-22.7 kg (30-50 lb): 125-250 mg/day
    • Children over 22.7 kg (over 50 lb): 250-500 mg/day
  • Off-label: 10-20 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours
  • Ultra-micro-size
  • Adult:
    • Tinea corporis, cruris, or capitis: 375 mg/day orally
    • Tinea pedis or unguium: 250 mg orally every 8 hours
  • Pediatric:
    • 7.3 mg/kg/day orally
    • Children 13.6-22.7 kg (3-50 lb): 82.5-165 mg/day
    • Children over 22.7 kg (over 50 lb): 135-330 mg/day
    • Off-label: 5-15 mg/kg/day orally divided every 12 hours; not to exceed 750 mg/day

Treatment duration – Adult and Pediatric:

Dependent on infection site

  • Tinea corporis: 2-4 weeks
  • Tinea capitalize: 4-6 weeks; maybe up to 8-12 weeks
  • Tinea pedis: 4-8 weeks
  • Tinea unguium: 4-6 months

Dosing considerations:

  • Absorption increased with fatty meals

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