Individual generic drug information

griseofulvin

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

GRISEOFULVIN

Reference record: Griseofulvin
Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
Printed source pages: 658, 659
Age groups indexed: 1

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for Griseofulvin only.

Indications And Dose

Dermatophyte infections of the skin, scalp, hair and nails where topical therapy has failed or is inappropriate ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 500 mg daily, increased if necessary to 1 g daily, for severe infections; reduce dose when response occurs, daily dose may be taken once daily or in divided doses Tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 1 g once daily, alternatively 1 g daily in divided doses l UNLICENSED USE Griseofulvin doses in BNF may differ from those in product literature.

Source page 658

Contra Indications

Acute porphyrias p. 1120. systemic lupus erythematosus (risk of exacerbation)

Source page 658

Safety

Extracted information for Griseofulvin only.

Interactions

→Appendix 1: griseofulvin

Source page 658

Side Effects

▶Common or very common Diarrhoea. epigastric discomfort . headache. nausea. vomiting ▶Uncommon Appetite decreased. confusion. coordination abnormal. dizziness. drowsiness. insomnia. irritability. peripheral neuropathy. photosensitivity reaction. skin reactions. taste altered. toxic epidermal necrolysis ▶Rare or very rare Anaemia. hepatic disorders. leucopenia. neutropenia. systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Source page 658

Conception And Contraception

Effective contraception required during and for at least 1 month after administration to women (important: effectiveness of oral contraceptives may be reduced, additional contraceptive precautions e.g. barrier method, required). Men should avoid fathering a child during and for at least 6 months after administration

Source page 658

Pregnancy

Avoid (fetotoxicity and teratogenicity in animals).

Source page 658

Breast Feeding

Avoid—no information available.

Source page 658

Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate impairment (risk of deterioration); avoid in severe impairment.

Source page 658

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for Griseofulvin only.

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: oral suspension Tablet CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 9, 21 ▶Griseofulvin (Non-proprietary) Griseofulvin 125 mg Griseofulvin 125mg tablets | 100 tablet P £96.67 DT = £96.67 Griseofulvin 500 mg Griseofulvin 500mg tablets | 90 tablet P £81.32 | 100 tablet P £90.34 DT = £90.35 3.1 Pneumocystis pneumonia Pneumocystis pneumonia Overview Pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (Pneumocystis carinii) occurs in immunosuppressed patients; it is a common cause of pneumonia in AIDS. Pneumocystis pneumonia should generally be treated by those experienced in its management. Blood gas measurement is used to assess disease severity. Treatment Mild to moderate disease Co-trimoxazole p. 594 in high dosage is the drug of choice for the treatment of mild to moderate pneumocystis pneumonia. Atovaquone below is licensed for the treatment of mild to moderate pneumocystis infection in patients who cannot tolerate co-trimoxazole. A combination of dapsone p. 610 with trimethoprim p. 607 is given by mouth for the treatment of mild to moderate disease [unlicensed indication]. A combination of clindamycin p. 564 and primaquine p. 654 by mouth is used in the treatment of mild to moderate disease [unlicensed indication]; this combination is associated with considerable toxicity. Severe disease Co-trimoxazole in high dosage, given by mouth or by intravenous infusion, is the drug of choice for the treatment of severe pneumocystis pneumonia. Pentamidine isetionate below given by intravenous infusion is an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate co-trimoxazole, or who have not responded to it. Pentamidine isetionate is a potentially toxic drug that can cause severe hypotension during or immediately after infusion. Corticosteroid treatment can be lifesaving in those with severe pneumocystis pneumonia. Adjunctive therapy In moderate to severe infections associated with HIV infection, prednisolone p. 716 is given by mouth for 5 days (alternatively, hydrocortisone p. 713 may be given parenterally); the dose is then reduced to complete 21 days of treatment. Corticosteroid treatment should ideally be started at the same time as the anti-pneumocystis therapy and certainly no later than 24–72 hours afterwards. The corticosteroid should be withdrawn before anti- pneumocystis treatment is complete. Prophylaxis Prophylaxis against pneumocystis pneumonia should be given to all patients with a history of the infection. Prophylaxis against pneumocystis pneumonia should also be considered for severely immunocompromised patients. Prophylaxis should continue until immunity recovers sufﬁciently. It should not be discontinued if the patient has oral candidiasis, continues to lose weight, or is receiving cytotoxic therapy or long-term immunosuppressant therapy. Co-trimoxazole by mouth is the drug of choice for prophylaxis against pneumocystis pneumonia. It is given daily or on alternate days (3 times a week); the dose may be reduced to improve tolerance. Inhaled pentamidine isetionate is better tolerated than parenteral pentamidine isetionate. Intermittent inhalation of pentamidine isetionate is used for prophylaxis against pneumocystis pneumonia in patients unable to tolerate co- Infection trimoxazole. It is effective but patients may be prone to extrapulmonary infection. Alternatively, dapsone can be used. Atovaquone has also been used for prophylaxis [unlicensed indication]. ANTIPROTOZOALS › OTHER

Source page 659

Clinical care

Extracted information for Griseofulvin only.

Patient And Carer Advice

Driving and skilled tasks May impair performance of skilled tasks (e.g. driving); effects of alcohol enhanced.

Source page 658

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

500 mg daily, increased if necessary to 1 g daily,

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 658

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

1 g once daily, alternatively 1 g daily in divided

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 658

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.

Individual generic drug information

griseofulvin

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

GRISEOFULVIN

Reference record: Griseofulvin
Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
Printed source pages: 658, 659
Age groups indexed: 1

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for Griseofulvin only.

Indications And Dose

Source page 658

Contra Indications

Acute porphyrias p. 1120. systemic lupus erythematosus (risk of exacerbation)

Source page 658

Safety

Extracted information for Griseofulvin only.

Interactions

→Appendix 1: griseofulvin

Source page 658

Side Effects

Source page 658

Conception And Contraception

Source page 658

Pregnancy

Avoid (fetotoxicity and teratogenicity in animals).

Source page 658

Breast Feeding

Avoid—no information available.

Source page 658

Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate impairment (risk of deterioration); avoid in severe impairment.

Source page 658

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for Griseofulvin only.

Medicinal Forms

Source page 659

Clinical care

Extracted information for Griseofulvin only.

Patient And Carer Advice

Driving and skilled tasks May impair performance of skilled tasks (e.g. driving); effects of alcohol enhanced.

Source page 658

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

500 mg daily, increased if necessary to 1 g daily,

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 658

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

1 g once daily, alternatively 1 g daily in divided

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 658

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.