Get your patient on Griseofulvin - Griseofulvin (microsize) suspension (Griseofulvin (Microsize))

Major indications for Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP are:

Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp)
Tinea corporis (ringworm of the body)
Tinea pedis (athlete's foot)
Tinea unguium (onychomycosis; ringworm of the nails)
Tinea cruris (ringworm of the thigh)
Tinea barbae (barber’s itch)

Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP inhibits the growth of those genera of fungi that commonly cause ringworm infections of the hair, skin, and nails, such as:
Trichophyton rubrum
Trichophyton tonsurans
Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Trichophyton interdigitalis
Trichophyton verrucosum
Trichophyton sulphureum
Trichophyton schoenleini
Microsporum audouini
Microsporum canis
Microsporum gypseum
Epidermophyton floccosum
Trichophyton megnini
Trichophyton gallinae
Trichophyton crateriform

Note: Prior to therapy, the type of fungi responsible for the infection should be identified. The use of the drug is not justified in minor or trivial infections which will respond to topical antifungal agents alone.

It is not effective in:
Bacterial infections
Candidiasis (Moniliasis)
Histoplasmosis
Actinomycosis
Sporotrichosis
Chromoblastomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis
North American Blastomycosis
Cryptococcosis (Torulosis)
Tinea versicolor
Nocardiosis

Accurate diagnosis of the infecting organism is essential. Identification should be made either by direct microscopic examination of a mounting of infected tissue in a solution of potassium hydroxide or by culture on an appropriate medium.

Medication must be continued until the infecting organism is completely eradicated as indicated by appropriate clinical or laboratory examination. Representative treatment periods are tinea capitis, 4 to 6 weeks; tinea corporis, 2 to 4 weeks; tinea pedis, 4 to 8 weeks; tinea unguium – depending on rate of growth – fingernails, at least 4 months; toenails, at least 6 months.

General measures in regard to hygiene should be observed to control sources of infection or reinfection. Concomitant use of appropriate topical agents is usually required, particularly in treatment of tinea pedis since in some forms of athlete's foot, yeasts and bacteria may be involved. Griseofulvin will not eradicate the bacterial or monilial infection.

Adults: A daily dose of 500 mg will give a satisfactory response in most patients with tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea capitis.

For those fungus infections more difficult to eradicate such as tinea pedis and tinea unguium, a daily dose of 1 gram is recommended.

Children: Approximately 5 mg per pound of body weight per day is an effective dose for most children. On this basis the following dosage schedule for children is suggested:
Children weighing 30 to 50 pounds - 125 mg to 250 mg daily.
Children weighing over 50 pounds - 250 mg to 500 mg daily.

This drug is contraindicated in patients with porphyria, hepatocellular failure, and in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to griseofulvin.

Two cases of conjoined twins have been reported in patients taking griseofulvin during the first trimester of pregnancy. Griseofulvin should not be prescribed to pregnant patients.

When adverse reactions occur, they are most commonly of the hypersensitivity type such as skin rashes, urticaria and rarely, angioneurotic edema or erythema multiforme-like drug reaction, and may necessitate withdrawal of therapy and appropriate countermeasures. Paresthesias of the hands and feet have been reported rarely after extended therapy. Other side effects reported occasionally are oral thrush, nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, mental confusion and impairment of performance of routine activities.

Proteinuria and leukopenia have been reported rarely. Administration of the drug should be discontinued if granulocytopenia occurs.

When rare, serious reactions occur with griseofulvin, they are usually associated with high dosages, long periods of therapy, or both.

Griseofulvin is an antibiotic derived from a species of Penicillium. Each 5 mL of Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP contains 125 mg of griseofulvin (microsize) and also contains alcohol (0.2%), docusate sodium, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6, magnesium aluminum silicate, menthol, methylparaben, orange cream flavors, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water, saccharin sodium, simethicone emulsion, sodium alginate and sucrose.

Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP acts systemically to inhibit the growth of Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton genera of fungi. Fungistatic amounts are deposited in the keratin, which is gradually exfoliated and replaced by noninfected tissue.

Griseofulvin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract varies considerably among individuals, mainly because of insolubility of the drug in aqueous media of the upper G.I. tract. The peak serum level found in fasting adults given 0.5 gm occurs at about four hours and ranges between 0.5 and 2.0 mcg/mL.

It should be noted that some individuals are consistently "poor absorbers" and tend to attain lower blood levels at all times. This may explain unsatisfactory therapeutic results in some patients. Better blood levels can probably be attained in most patients if griseofulvin is administered after a meal with a high fat content.

Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP (microsize) 125 mg per 5 mL is available as follows:
4 fl oz (120 mL) bottle (NDC 62135-968-41)

Dispense Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP.

STORAGE

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Manufactured by:
Chartwell Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
Congers, NY 10920

Manufactured for:
Chartwell RX, LLC.
Congers, NY 10920

L70567        Rev: 08/2021