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Overview: Griseofulvin is used to treat certain fungal infections such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch, barber’s itch, and nail infections. Common side effects include rash and hives. Serious side effects are less common, but they can include severe skin reactions, liver damage, lupus-like symptoms, and decreased white blood cell counts. Notify your health care provider right away if you develop flu-like symptoms or feel unusually weak or tired.

Uses

What is griseofulvin used for?

Griseofulvin is commonly used to treat the following conditions.

Griseofulvin may not be the right drug for some of the infections listed above, depending on which fungi are causing the infection. Fungi in some locations may have developed resistance to griseofulvin, which will make it not work as well.

Griseofulvin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does griseofulvin work (mechanism of action)?

Griseofulvin is an antifungal medicine that stops the growth of the fungus causing the infection.

How is griseofulvin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Fulvicin P/G
  • Fulvicin U/F
  • Grifulvin V
  • Grisactin
  • Gris-PEG

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 125 mg/5 mL oral suspension (microsize)
  • 125 mg oral tablets (ultramicrosize)
  • 250 mg oral tablets (microsize, ultramicrosize)
  • 500 mg oral tablets (microsize)

How should I store griseofulvin?

Griseofulvin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep the container tightly closed and protect from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of griseofulvin?

The most common side effects of griseofulvin are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Skin rash
  • Hives

There may be other side effects of griseofulvin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of griseofulvin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of griseofulvin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Griseofulvin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking griseofulvin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Severe Skin Reactions. Griseofulvin can cause severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop griseofulvin and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking griseofulvin. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Lupus-Like Symptoms. Griseofulvin can cause symptoms that look like a condition called lupus. Call your health care provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms. 

  • Rash
  • Joint pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Swollen glands
  • Reduced need to pee
  • Pink, red, or brown pee 
  • Swelling

Sensitivity to Sunlight. Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking griseofulvin. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in sunlight. Exposure to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your health care provider right away if any of these happen.

Low White Blood Cell Levels (Granulocytopenia). Griseofulvin may cause low levels of a type of white blood cell (called granulocytes), which is known as granulocytopenia. Granulocytes help prevent infection. Having a very low level of granulocytes increases your risk of a serious infection. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of agranulocytosis.

  • Fever or chills
  • Sore throat
  • Any other flu-like symptoms
  • Sores in your mouth or nose
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use griseofulvin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take griseofulvin.

  • Fulvicin P/G
  • Fulvicin U/F
  • Grifulvin V
  • Grisactin
  • Griseofulvin
  • Gris-PEG
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific griseofulvin products they stock.

Pregnancy. Do not take griseofulvin if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider right away. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

Liver Problems. Griseofulvin should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

Porphyria. Griseofulvin should not be used if you have porphyria, a rare condition where your body cannot produce certain parts of red blood cells.

What should I know about griseofulvin before using it?

Do not take griseofulvin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share griseofulvin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep griseofulvin out of the reach of children.

Griseofulvin can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.

If you are prescribed griseofulvin liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.

If you can get your partner pregnant, you should wait six months after your last dose of griseofulvin before getting your partner pregnant. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before using griseofulvin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if griseofulvin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Griseofulvin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking griseofulvin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Lupus
  • Penicillin allergy

Pregnancy. You should not take griseofulvin if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if griseofulvin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop griseofulvin.

Interactions

Does griseofulvin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between griseofulvin and foods or drinks. However, taking griseofulvin with a high fat meal may improve how well your body absorbs it.

Drinking alcohol while taking griseofulvin may lead to side effects, including increased heart rate, flushing, nausea, and vomiting. It is best to 

Does griseofulvin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking griseofulvin.

  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • Estrogen, which is found in certain birth control pills, patches, creams, rings, or vaginal suppositories 
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • A salicylate, such as diflunisal or salsalate, which is a medicine used for arthritis
  • A barbiturate, such as butalbital, phenobarbital, or primidone, which is a medicine that may be used to treat insomnia, migraines, or seizures 

Griseofulvin may alter the blood levels of many other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with griseofulvin. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much griseofulvin?

If you or someone else has used too much griseofulvin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of griseofulvin?

It is important to complete your prescribed course of griseofulvin, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to griseofulvin or other similar medicines.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.