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Griseofulvin Microsize Coupon - Griseofulvin Microsize 500mg tablet

griseofulvin microsize

Generic Grifulvin V
Used for Nail Fungus, Athlete's Foot, Ringworm, Jock Itch
Used for Nail Fungus, Athlete's Foot, Ringworm, Jock Itch

Griseofulvin microsize (brand Grifulvin V no longer available) and griseofulvin ultramicrosize (brand Gris-PEG) are antifungal medications used to treat certain fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails. Some examples of such infections include different types of ringworms, even tinea capitis (an infection on the scalp). Griseofulvin is taken by mouth, typically 1 to 3 times daily. Typically, your provider only prescribes griseofulvin if other topical antifungal medications haven't worked for you. Possible side effects include skin rash, nausea, diarrhea, and oral thrush (yeast infection in the mouth).

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 26, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Griseofulvin?

What is Griseofulvin used for?

Certain fungal infections, including:

How Griseofulvin works

Griseofulvin is an antifungal. It stops the fungi causing your infection from growing and multiplying (fungistatic).

Drug Facts

Common BrandsGrifulvin V (microsized, brand no longer available), Gris-PEG (ultramicrosize)
Drug ClassAntifungal
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$257.83(save 68.96%)
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$80.03
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What are the side effects of Griseofulvin?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Rash
  • Hives

Other Side Effects

  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Oral thrush (white rash inside your mouth)
  • Dizziness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Numbness and tingling of hands and feet
  • Tiredness
  • Feeling confused

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe skin reaction: fever, sore throat, cough, painful rash that turns into blisters, body aches
  • Serious liver problems: stomach pain, dark urine, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

chills

cough

diarrhea

fever

itching

joint or muscle pain

red, irritated eyes

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Confusion

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

skin rash, hives, or itching

soreness or irritation of the mouth or tongue

Rare

Black, tarry stools

chest pain

cloudy urine

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet

painful or difficult urination

shortness of breath

swollen glands

unusual bleeding or bruising

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

clay-colored stools

dark urine

dizziness

headache

loss of appetite

nausea

unpleasant breath odor

vomiting of blood

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Hives or welts

redness of the skin

Less common

Trouble with sleeping

Incidence not known

Heartburn

pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat

sleeplessness

unable to sleep

white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue

white patches with diaper rash

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Griseofulvin

thumbs-up

Pros

Microsize version is available in a liquid for people who have trouble swallowing pills

Good option when other topical medications fail

Can be used in both children and adults

Available as a lower-cost generic

Ultramicrosize tablets can be crushed and sprinkled onto applesauce

thumbs-down

Cons

Not safe during pregnancy

Might make birth control less effective

Can cause allergic reaction if you're allergic to penicillin

Can intensify the effects of alcohol

Takes several weeks or months to work

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Griseofulvin

pharmacist

  • Your provider might recommend for you to take griseofulvin with a fatty meal or milk. This can help your body absorb the medication better.

    • Avoid alcohol when taking griseofulvin. Drinking alcohol while you're on griseofulvin can cause nausea, vomiting, flushing, and fast heartbeat.

      • If whole tablets are hard to swallow, griseofulvin ultramicrosize tablets can be crushed and sprinkled onto 1 tablespoonful of apple sauce. The mixture should then be swallowed right away without chewing. Alternatively, you can ask your provider about the liquid version.

        • If you're using the liquid form of griseofulvin, shake the bottle well before measuring each dose. Be sure to use a medication dose cup, spoon, or syringe to measure out your dose. Using household spoons might cause you to take the wrong amount of griseofulvin.

          • Griseofulvin might cause certain types of hormonal birth control to not work as well. This can lead to unplanned pregnancies, irregular menstrual cycles, and breakthrough bleeding. You should use a back-up method of protection such as condoms and diaphragms to prevent pregnancy while on griseofulvin.

            • Let your provider know if you're allergic to penicillin. Griseofulvin is made from certain species of penicillin and might trigger an allergic reaction. Keep in mind that people with penicillin allergies have taken griseofulvin without any problems. But your provider might want to consider other antifungals for you depending on how severe your allergy is.

              • Griseofulvin has lowered sperm production in animal studies. Although the effects on sperm are unclear in humans, it's recommended that males wait at least 6 months after finishing griseofulvin before trying to conceive a child.

                • Griseofulvin can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which means you might sunburn more easily. This can happen even during the winter and on overcast days. Make sure to avoid sun exposure and wear protective clothing when outside while you're taking griseofulvin.

                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Griseofulvin

                  How long does it take for griseofulvin to work?
                  How long it takes for griseofulvin to work depends on what kind of infection you have, where it's located, and how severe it is. For example, if you have ringworm infection on the body, it can take 2 to 4 weeks for this medication to fully treat the infection. But if you have nail infections, you might need to take griseofulvin for 4 to 6 months, depending on whether it's an infection of the toe or finger nail. Take griseofulvin as directed by your provider. It might take a while to see improvement in your symptoms after starting the medication. Your provider will check your infection from time to time to see if this medication is working well for you.
                  Can I stop griseofulvin early if my infection seems to be better?
                  No. It's important to continue taking griseofulvin even if it seems like your infection is gone. Stopping it too early can cause your infection to come back and be more difficult to treat.
                  Can griseofulvin cause yeast infections?
                  Yes. Some people taking griseofulvin have reported oral thrush (yeast infection in the mouth) as a side effect. If you notice white patches inside of your mouth, redness or soreness, pain, or a cotton-like feeling in your mouth, contact your provider. If you develop oral thrush while taking griseofulvin, your provider can talk with you about treatment options for thrush.
                  What's the difference between griseofulvin ultramicrosize and microsized?
                  The main difference between griseofulvin ultramicrosize and griseofulvin microsized is how well each type is absorbed into your body. The microsized formulation is larger than the ultramicrosize. Your body is able to absorb griseofulvin ultramicrosize more completely compared to the microsized version. This is why the dosage is different depending on which form you take. Your dose will be higher if you take the microsize version, and lower if you take the ultramicrosize form. Talk with your provider about which form of griseofulvin you'll be taking.
                  Can I buy griseofulvin over the counter?
                  No, you can't buy griseofulvin over the counter. It's only available with a prescription from your healthcare provider.
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                  What are the risks and warnings for Griseofulvin?

                  Griseofulvin can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                  risk-warning

                  Severe skin reactions

                  Very rarely, people have developed severe, potentially life-threatening skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)) after starting griseofulvin. Seek medical attention right away if you notice a new or severe rash, a rash accompanied by a fever, unexplained blisters, or new sores inside your mouth.

                  risk-warning

                  Serious liver problems

                  • Risk factors: History of liver problems | Current liver problems

                    Very rarely, griseofulvin causes life-threatening liver damage or liver failure. Your risk of this is higher if you have or have had liver problems. Your provider will likely order blood tests for you regularly to check your liver health. If you experience unexplained stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of your skin or white part of your eyes, contact your healthcare provider right away.

                    risk-warning

                    Not for use during pregnancy

                    Don't take griseofulvin during pregnancy. There have been cases of birth defects in babies born to mothers who took griseofulvin, and it has been shown to cause harm when taken during pregnancy in animal studies. You might be asked to take a pregnancy test before starting griseofulvin. Since griseofulvin might make hormonal birth control less effective, you should use a method of birth control that uses no hormones (condoms, diaphragms, copper IUD) while taking griseofulvin. If you become pregnant, stop taking griseofulvin right away and talk to your healthcare provider.

                    dosage

                    Griseofulvin dosage forms

                    The average cost for 30 tablets of 500mg of Griseofulvin is $80.03 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 68.96% off the average retail price of $257.83.
                    ml of oral suspension
                    Ml of oral suspension
                    DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                    125mg/5ml600 ml$117.77$0.20
                    tablet
                    Tablet
                    DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                    500mg30 tablets$80.03$2.67

                    Typical dosing for Griseofulvin

                    The length of treatment with griseofulvin ranges from 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on the type of infection you have.

                    • Microsize tablets and oral suspension:

                      • Adults: The typical dose is 500 mg by mouth per day. It can be taken all at once or split in to 2-3 smaller doses and taken throughout the day.

                      • Children ages 2 years and older: Your child's provider will determine their dose will depend on your child's body weight. The typical dose is 10 mg/kg per day, up to 500 mg per day. The total daily dose is typically split into smaller doses and taken throughout the day.

                    • Ultramicrosize tablets:

                      • Adults: The typical dose is 375 mg by mouth per day. It can be taken all at once or split up throughout the day. For more stubborn fungal infections, a dose of 750 mg per day (split up into doses throughout the day) might be required.

                      • Children over 2 years old: Your child's provider will determine their dose will depend on your child's body weight. The typical dose is 7.3 mg/kg per day, up to 375 mg per day.

                    interactions

                    Interactions between Griseofulvin and other drugs

                    Griseofulvin may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Griseofulvin. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                    Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                    Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                    drug-cost

                    How much does Griseofulvin cost?

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                    Grifulvin V (brand)
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                    contraindications-icon

                    Griseofulvin contraindications

                    Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Griseofulvin will not be safe for you to take.

                    • Have been diagnosed with porphyria

                    • Liver failure

                    • Pregnancy

                    alternatives

                    What are alternatives to Griseofulvin?

                    There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Griseofulvin. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                    Griseofulvin
                    Used for:

                    Certain fungal infections, including:

                    $80.03 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Terbinafine
                    Used for:

                    • Fungal infection of toenail or fingernail

                    $14.34 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Ketoconazole cream
                    Used for:
                    $23.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    images

                    Griseofulvin images

                    White Round I26 - Griseofulvin Microsize 500mg Tablet
                    This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "I26".White Round I26 - Griseofulvin Microsize 500mg Tablet
                    White Round Ce 5 - Griseofulvin Microsize 500mg Tablet
                    This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Ce 5".White Round Ce 5 - Griseofulvin Microsize 500mg Tablet
                    White Oblong Logo 12 - Griseofulvin Microsize 500mg Tablet
                    This medicine is White, Oblong, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Logo 12".White Oblong Logo 12 - Griseofulvin Microsize 500mg Tablet

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                    References

                    Best studies we found

                    Olson, J. M., et al. (2023). Griseofulvin. StatPearls.

                    Chartwell RX, LLC. (2022). GRISEOFULVIN MICROSIZE- griseofulvin tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                    Sandoz Inc. (2018). ULTRAMICROSIZE GRISEOFULVIN- ultramicrosize griseofulvin tablet, coated [package insert].

                    View All References (4)

                    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Candida infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.

                    ScienceDirect. (n.d.). Griseofulvin.

                    National Organization for Rare Diseases. (2022). Porphyrias.

                    Tucker, D., et al. (2023). Seborrheic dermatitis. StatPearls.

                    GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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