What Is Scalp Ringworm (Tinea Capitis)? Common Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) is a fungal infection of the scalp. Learn how it spreads and how to prevent it.
griseofulvin microsize
Used for Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Nail Fungus, Ringworm
Used for Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Nail Fungus, Ringworm
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).
What is Griseofulvin?
What is Griseofulvin used for?
Certain fungal infections, including:
- Ringworm of the scalp, body, groin, and nails
- Athlete's foot
How Griseofulvin works
Griseofulvin is an antifungal. It stops the fungi causing your infection from growing and multiplying (fungistatic).
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Grifulvin V (microsized, brand no longer available), Gris-PEG (ultramicrosize) |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antifungal |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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
Less Common 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
Griseofulvin 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
The following Griseofulvin 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
joint or muscle pain
red, irritated eyes
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
soreness or irritation of the mouth or tongue
Rare
Black, tarry stools
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
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:
Less common
Trouble with sleeping
Incidence not known
pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$195.48
GoodRx discount
$79.65
Pros and cons of Griseofulvin
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
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 for Griseofulvin
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Griseofulvin dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 500mg of Griseofulvin is $79.65 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 59.25% off the average retail price of $195.48.
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.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Desogestrel
- Dienogest
- Drospirenone
- Estradiol
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol
- Etonogestrel
- Gestodene
- Levonorgestrel
- Medroxyprogesterone
- Mestranol
- Nomegestrol
- Norelgestromin
- Norethindrone
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Porfimer
- Segesterone
- Ulipristal
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.
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Phenobarbital
- Warfarin
How much does Griseofulvin cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Griseofulvin (generic)
$79.65
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
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.
News about Griseofulvin
Fluconazole, Terbinafine, and More: 8 Oral Antifungal Medications and How They Differ
Oral antifungal medications, such as Lamisil and Diflucan, help treat or prevent certain fungal infections. Learn about eight different prescription options and how they differ.
How Do Antibiotics and Other Medications Interfere With Birth Control?
Antibiotics, antiepileptics, antiretrovirals, and St. John’s wort are the most likely medications to interact with hormonal birth control. If you are about to start taking one of these medications, you may need to talk to your provider about alternative contraceptives. Learn more, with GoodRx.
Alcohol and Antibiotics: Is Mixing Them Really That Dangerous?
Antibiotics such as metronidazole (Flagyl) and alcohol should not be mixed. That’s because antibiotics and alcohol have many interactions and can cause undesirable and sometimes dangerous side effects. Learn more about the risks of mixing antibiotics and alcohol here.
Griseofulvin images
