Griseofulvin

Griseofulvin is an antifungal medicine that treats infections like ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch, and fungal infections of the scalp, fingernails, or toenails.

Griseofulvin may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may sometimes adjust your dose as your infection gets better. Use the medicine exactly as instructed.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before measuring a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow a tablet whole. You may be able to crush the tablet and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use.

While treating a fungal skin or nail infection, keep the affected skin areas as clean and dry as possible.

Use this medicine for the entire prescribed duration, even if your symptoms improve quickly. Skipping doses can increase your risk of developing an infection that is resistant to medication.

Griseofulvin will not treat a bacterial or viral infection such as the flu or a common cold. Griseofulvin also will not treat certain types of fungal infections, including yeast infections.

It may take several weeks before you notice any improvement in your symptoms. Nail infections can take several months to completely clear.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.

If you use this medicine for a long time, you may need regular medical tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not use griseofulvin if you have porphyria or liver failure.

Taking griseofulvin during the first 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby.

You should not use griseofulvin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• liver failure;
• porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system); or
• if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• lupus; or
• an allergy to penicillin.

Taking griseofulvin during the first 3 months of pregnancy may cause birth defects. Do not take griseofulvin if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine.

Griseofulvin can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy.

You should not breastfeed while using griseofulvin.

Griseofulvin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Griseofulvin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
• confusion, difficulty with daily activities;
• fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, white patches or sores in your mouth or throat;
• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath, foamy urine;
• lupus-like symptoms--muscle or joint pain, flu-like symptoms, chest pain, and a rash or patchy skin color that gets worse in sunlight; or
• signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Common side effects of griseofulvin may include:

• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea;
• headache, tiredness;
• rash;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid covering affected skin areas with tight-fitting, synthetic clothing (like nylon or polyester clothing, or plastic pants) that does not let air reach your skin. If you are treating athlete's foot, wear clean cotton socks and sandals or shoes that allow for air circulation. Keep your feet as dry as possible.

Griseofulvin could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Drinking alcohol with griseofulvin can cause side effects.

Sometimes, it is not safe to use certain medications together. Some drugs can change the amount of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may affect griseofulvin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any medicine you start or stop using.