Pharm

Griseofulvin

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Griseofulvin

  • Background
  1. Produced first in 1958 from penicillium
  • Indications
  1. Tinea Capitis
  • Duration
  1. Tinea Capitis
    1. Treated for 6-8 weeks (durations up to 16 weeks have been used previously) or
    2. Two weeks after cultures are negative
  • Efficacy
  1. Very effective for Tinea Capitis over 2-4 months
  2. Not as effective for Tinea Unguium
  • Dosing
  1. Ultrasize preparations are also available but are significantly more expensive (but better absorption)
  2. Griseofulvin microsize (Griseofulvin V)
    1. Adults: 500 mg (up to 1 g) orally daily
    2. Child: 10-20 mg/kg/day (up to 20-25 mg/kg/day, maximum 1 g/day) until Hair Growth
  • Monitoring
  1. No baseline testing needed in the absence of liver disease
  2. Obtain labs for treatment duration >8 weeks (or history of abnormal Liver Function Tests)
    1. Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST, Serum Bilirubin) every 8 weeks
    2. Complete Blood Count (CBC) every 8 weeks
    3. Serum Creatinine every 8 weeks
  • Directions
  1. Take with food (especially a fatty meal) for better absorption
  • References
  1. Ely (2014) Am Fam Physician 90(10): 702-10 [PubMed]