Griseofulvin 500mg 10pcs

Indications

The following are the most important indications for griseofulvin:

• 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 prevents the development of fungi that often cause ringworm infections of the hair, skin, and nails, including:

• 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

It is important to note that the kind of fungus responsible for the infection should be recognized before beginning treatment. The drug’s usage is not warranted in small or trivial infections that can be treated with topical antifungal medicines alone.

Pharmacology

Griseofulvin is fungistatic, however the exact mechanism by which it inhibits dermatophyte growth is unknown. It is thought to prevent fungal cell mitosis and the formation of nuclear acids. It also binds to alpha and beta tubulin, interfering with the function of spindle and cytoplasmic microtubules. It attaches to keratin in human cells, then binds to fungal microtubes once it reaches the fungal site of action, changing the fungal mitotic process.

Dosage & Administration

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 6months.

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 1.0 gm 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.

Should be taken with food. Take immediately after meals.

Interaction

Patients on warfarin-type anticoagulant treatment may require anticoagulant dose adjustments during and after griseofulvin therapy. Concurrent use of barbiturates often reduces griseofulvin action and may need increasing the dosage.

Contraindications

This medication is not recommended for those who have porphyria, hepatic failure, or a history of hypersensitivity to griseofulvin.

Two incidences of conjoined twins in individuals using griseofulvin during the first trimester of pregnancy have been recorded. Pregnant women should not be given griseofulvin.

Side Effects

When adverse events occur, they are often of the hypersensitivity type, such as skin rashes, urticaria, and, in rare cases, angioneurotic edema or erythemamultiforme-like drug reaction, and may need medication discontinuation and necessary countermeasures. Hand and foot paresthesias have been observed on rare occasions following prolonged treatment. Other adverse effects that have been observed on occasion include oral thrush, nausea, vomiting, epigastric discomfort, diarrhea, headache, tiredness, dizziness, sleeplessness, mental disorientation, and impairment in normal activity performance.

Proteinuria and leukopenia have only been documented in a few cases. If granulocytopenia develops, the medication should be stopped. When rare, severe responses to griseofulvin occur, they are generally linked with high doses, prolonged therapy, or both.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Type C. Either animal research have indicated harmful effects on the foetus (teratogenic, embryocidal, or other) and no controlled studies in women are available, or studies in women and animals are not accessible. Only if the possible benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus should drugs be administered.

Precautions & Warnings

Patients on long-term treatment with any powerful drug should be closely monitored. Organ system function, including renal, hepatic, and hemopoietic, should be monitored on a regular basis.

Because griseofulvin is produced from penicillin species, the risk of cross sensitivity with penicillin exists; nevertheless, known penicillin-sensitive individuals have been successfully treated.

Because photosensitivity reactions are occasionally related with griseofulvin treatment, patients should be advised to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, whether natural or artificial. Lupus erythematosus may be exacerbated if a photosensitivity response occurs.

Therapeutic Class

Other antifungal formulations

Storage Conditions

Temperatures should be kept between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius.