GRISEOFULVIN

Brand & Generic Names

Fulvicin P/G
Fulvicin U/F
Grifulvin V
Gris-PEG
Grisactin
Grisactin Ultra
Grisovin-FP

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antibiotic (antifungal)

Uses

Treatment for fungal infections susceptible to griseofulvin.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take with liquid or food.
Liquid--Follow label instructions.

When to take:
With or immediately after meals.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents fungi from growing and reproducing.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 10 days for skin infections. 2 to 4 weeks for infections of fingernails or toenails. Complete cure of either may require several months.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. In sensitive individuals, severe diarrhea may occur without overdosing.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Headache.

Infrequent:

• Confusion; rash, hives, itch; mouth or tongue irritation; soreness; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; stomach pain.
• Insomnia, tiredness.

Rare:

Sore throat, fever, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, cloudy urine, sensitivity to sunlight, jaundice.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any antifungal medicine.
• You are allergic to penicillin.
• You have liver disease.
• You have porphyria.
• The infection is minor and will respond to less potent drugs.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you plan to become pregnant within medication period.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you have lupus.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected, but consult your doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended for children younger than 2.

Prolonged use:

• You may become susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to griseofulvin.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), liver function, kidney function.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:

• Don't drive if you feel dizzy or have vision problems.
• Don't pilot aircraft.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:
Periodic laboratory blood studies and liver- and kidney-function tests recommended.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants,	Decreased anti-
oral*	anticoagulant effect.
Barbiturates*	Decreased griseofulvin effect.
Contraceptives,	Decreased contraceptive
oral*	effect.
Drugs that increase	Increased sun hazard.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased intoxication. Possible
	disulfiram reaction*.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected, but foods high in
	fat will improve drug absorption.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.