Other brands/names

Fulcin, Gricin, Fungistop, Mycostop, Rexavin, Grivin Forte, and Omefulvin

Mechanism of Action

Griseofulvin belongs to the antifungal medication class and can treat fungi infections on the scalp, groin, and nails. Griseofulvin treats fungal infections by preventing the fungus from growing, reproducing, and spreading to healthy skin cells. The medication might accumulate in keratin cells on the skin's surface, preventing the fungal growth from damaging the skin's layers.

Indications

Griseofulvin is a medication that treats fungal infections in the scalp, body folds, and nails. This medication works well for treating fungal infections that cause itching, redness, and scaly and peeling skin. Griseofulvin is commonly used to treat fungal skin infections when other treatments, such as ointments or topical lotions, are ineffective.

Griseofulvin inhibits the growth of several fungal species, including Microsporum, Epidermophyton, and Trichophyton. This fungus commonly causes skin diseases such as tinea barbae, tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium, which are fungal infections characterized by a reddish circular rash. Griseofulvin, however, has no antifungal activity against other fungi such as Malassezia, Candida, or Chromomycosis.

Contraindications

Patients who have indications of a fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails cannot use the medicine griseofulvin if they have many conditions that could be contraindications to the griseofulvin content, including:

• Hypersensitivity (allergy) to griseofulvin or its formulation ingredients
• Pregnant women or those expecting to become pregnant in the following month
• Breastfeeding mothers
• Porphyria patients
• Liver problems
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Children under two years old

Side Effects

Certain adverse effects may result from using griseofulvin against recommended dosage guidelines or from using the medication in excess. Griseofulvin side effects that could happen include:

• Skin rash
• Urticaria (a skin reaction characterized by the appearance of reddish bumps accompanied by itching).
• Digestive tract disorders
• Dry mouth
• Change in taste
• Headache
• Oral candidiasis
• Photosensitization or sensitivity to light
• Dizzy
• Confusion
• Depression, impaired coordination, insomnia, and fatigue

Preparations

In Indonesia, griseofulvin formulations are available in tablet form in doses of 125 and 500 mg.

Dosage

The dosage of griseofulvin is decided by the severity of the patient's fungal infection. Overall, the dosage of griseofulvin is as follows:

• Adults: take 500 mg once a day or 250 mg twice a day. For more severe infections, take 1000 mg once a day, or 500 mg twice daily.

• For children aged ≥ 2 years: the recommended dose is 10 mg/kgBB per day, either all at once or in several administrations.

Safety of Drugs

Pregnancy:

Griseofulvin is classified as FDA Category X, which means that using the drug during pregnancy is not recommended because it has been related to an increased risk of fetal abnormalities or problems.

Breastfeeding:

Breastfeeding mothers should also avoid using it because there is not enough research to support its safety.

Drug Interactions

If griseofulvin is used with other medications, the following drug interactions may occur:

• Reduced effectiveness of anticoagulant medications, such as aspirin, warfarin, or heparin
• Reduced efficacy of ciclosporin
• Reduced efficacy of birth control tablets
• Using phenylbutazone, barbiturates, sedatives, or sleeping medications may reduce griseofulvin absorption
• Reduced efficacy of chemotherapy medicines, such as vinorelbine or nilotinib
• Increased risk of sunburn when combined with aminolevulinic acid

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