Griseofulvin (Systemic)

Brand name(s): P

Proper Use of This Medicine

Griseofulvin is absorbed best when it is taken with a high fat meal, such as a cheeseburger, whole milk, or ice cream. Tell your doctor if you are on a low-fat diet.

Griseofulvin is best taken with or after meals, especially fatty ones (for example, whole milk or ice cream). This lessens possible stomach upset and helps to clear up the infection by helping your body absorb the medicine better. However, if you are on a low-fat diet, check with your doctor.

For patients taking the oral liquid form of griseofulvin :

• Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing-

The dose of griseofulvin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of griseofulvin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking griseofulvin.

• For microsize capsules, tablets, and suspension:
  • Adults and teenagers:
    • Treatment of fungus infections of the feet and nails-500 milligrams (mg) every twelve hours.
    • Treatment of fungus infections of the scalp, skin, and groin-250 mg every twelve hours; or 500 mg once a day.
  • Children:
    • Treatment of fungus infections-Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 5 mg per kilogram (kg) (2.3 mg per pound) of body weight every twelve hours; or 10 mg per kg (4.6 mg per pound) of body weight once a day.
• For ultramicrosize tablets:
  • Adults and teenagers:
    • Treatment of fungus infections of the feet and nails-250 to 375 mg every twelve hours.
    • Treatment of fungus infections of the scalp, skin, and groin-125 to 187.5 mg every twelve hours; or 250 to 375 mg once a day.
  • Infants and children up to 2 years of age:
    • Treatment of fungus infections-Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • Children 2 years of age and over:
    • Treatment of fungus infections-Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 2.75 to 3.65 mg per kg (1.25 to 1.7 mg per pound) of body weight every twelve hours; or 5.5 to 7.3 mg per kg (2.5 to 3.3 mg per pound) of body weight once a day.

Missed dose-

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage-

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule or tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the oral liquid form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Last Revised: 08/08/2000

User Comments

Sorry, no comments for this article. Be the first to review it!

Click here to write a comment