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
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.