Griseofulvin
Risk Factor: C
Class: ANTI-INFECTIVES
/ Antifungals
Contents of this page:
Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers
Fetal Risk Summary
Griseofulvin is a fungistatic antibiotic derived from a species of Penicillium. The drug is tumorigenic, embryotoxic, and teratogenic in some species of animals. Chronic oral exposure to griseofulvin in several strains of mice has induced hepatic and thyroid tumors (1). Hepatic tumors were also induced by relatively low weekly SC doses in mice during the first 3 weeks of life (1). Multiple malformations, including defects of the eye, skeleton, urogenital tract, and the central nervous system, were observed in fetuses of pregnant rats injected with 50500 mg/kg on days 11 to 14 of gestation (2). Daily doses of 12501500 mg/kg (about 60 to 75 times the usual human dose) on days 6 through 15 of gestation in rats produced tail defects and occasional exencephaly (2). Because of the animal toxicity, at least one publication suggested that it not be given during pregnancy (3).
Human placental transfer of griseofulvin has been demonstrated at term (4). The reported use of the antifungal agent in human pregnancy, described below, is limited.
In a surveillance study of Michigan Medicaid recipients involving 229,101 completed pregnancies conducted between 1985 and 1992, 34 newborns had been exposed to griseofulvin during the 1st trimester (Franz Rosa, personal communication, FDA, 1993). One (2.9%) major birth defect was observed (one expected). No anomalies were observed in six defect categories (cardiovascular defects, oral clefts, spina bifida, polydactyly, limb reduction defects, and hypospadias) for which specific data were available. The number of exposures is too small to draw any conclusions.
A possible interaction between oral contraceptives and griseofulvin has been reported in 22 women (5). Transient intermenstrual bleeding in 15, amenorrhea in 5, and unintended pregnancies in 2 were described.
In a report from investigators at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, two sets of conjoined twins were observed in a sample of more than 20,000 birth defect cases with 1st trimester drug exposure (6). The first case involved female twins conjoined at the head and chest (craniothoracopagus syncephalus), while the second involved male dicephalic twins joined in the thorax and lumbar areas with a single seven-chamber heart. In both cases the mothers had taken griseofulvin during early pregnancy. Fission with twinning is normally completed by the 20th day after ovulation, and thus, the cause of conjoined twinning would have to be present prior to this time (6). In both cases, maternal griseofulvin use was the only drug exposure (of those drugs under surveillance by the FDA). Because the incidence of conjoined twins is rare (approximately 1 in 50,000 births) and thoracopagus is even less common (1 in 250,000), the authors concluded that the cases provided evidence for an association with griseofulvin (6). The FDA investigators also examined other data on 1st trimester griseofulvin exposure involving 55,736 deliveries from one geographical area between 19801983 (6). Of these cases, griseofulvin was taken during the first 3 months by 37 mothers, two of whom delivered infants with birth defectsone with a congenital heart defect and one with an unknown defect. The incidence of 5.4% (2 of 37) was approximately the incidence in the total sample. However, in 4,264 women with spontaneous or threatened abortion diagnoses, 7 had been prescribed the drug during the preceding 3 months, a relative risk of 2.5 (95% confidence limits 1.016.1) (6).
Prompted by the above report, investigators in two other countries reported data from their respective congenital anomaly registries (7,8). One of these, from Hungary, found 39 sets of conjoined twins in a sample of more than 100,000 cases of congenital anomalies observed between 19701986 (griseofulvin was marketed in Hungary in 1970) (7). None of the mothers of the 39 conjoined twins took griseofulvin. The prevalence of conjoined twins in Hungary is approximately 1 in 60,000 births (7). The investigators also reported data from their case-control surveillance system for the period 19801984 (7). Of 6,786 congenital anomaly cases, 2 were exposed to griseofulvin-one infant with a heart defect was exposed during the 2nd and 3rd months, and one infant with pyloric stenosis was exposed during the 1st month. Three exposures occurred in the 10,962 matched controls, all in the late 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
The second report involved data from the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Monitoring Systems (8). None of the 47 sets of conjoined twins in more than 3 million births had been exposed to griseofulvin. Thus, neither of these reports was able to support the FDA report of an association between griseofulvin and the rare defect. However, because the use of an antifungal agent is seldom essential during pregnancy, griseofulvin should be avoided during this time (6).
Breast Feeding Summary
No reports describing the use of griseofulvin during lactation have been located. Because of the tumorigenicity demonstrated in one animal species and the potential for other toxicities in a nursing infant, the use of griseofulvin during breast feeding does not appear to be warranted.
References
- Product information. Fulvicin. Schering, 2000.
- Shepard TH. Catalog of Teratogenic Agents. 9th ed. Baltimore, MD:Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998:2245.
- Anonymous. Griseofulvin: a new formulation and some old concerns. Med Lett Drugs Ther 1976;18:17.
- Rubin A, Dvornik D. Placental transfer of griseofulvin. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1965;92:8823.
- van Dijke CPH, Weber JCP. Interaction between oral contraceptives and griseofulvin. Br Med J 1984;288:11256.
- Rosa FW, Hernandez C, Carlo WA. Griseofulvin teratology, including two thoracopagus conjoined twins. Lancet 1987;1:171.
- Metneki J, Czeizel A. Griseofulvin teratology. Lancet 1987;1:1042.
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Knudsen LB. No association between griseofulvin and conjoined twinning. Lancet 1987;2:1097.
Questions and Answers
Griseofulvin?, How might it kill the fungus?
According to Pharmcards - Griseofulvin [Fulvicin, Grifulvin] disrupts the mitotic spindle formation by interacting with polymerized microtubules. Wikipedia goes on to say that it specifically binds the tubulin moiety of the microtubule. The mitotic spindle is needed to pull apart the chromosomes during cellular division. The drug is fungistatic [preventing replication] rather than fungicidal [killing]
What is the interaction risk with the oral anti-fungal Griseofulvin and drinking alcohol?, I've been put on 250 mg of Griseofulvin twice a day (BID) for 45 days to cure a case of scalp ringworm (tinea capitis). I'm a 33 year old, healthy male w/no elevated LFTs or other medical issues. The warning label says to not drink alcohol while on this medication. 45 days without a single drink? Is it ok to drink a couple glasses of wine or have a couple of mixed cocktails every couple of days? Nothing drastic. Thanks for the help!
I'm sorry that I don't know the answer to this question, all I know is that we always tell our patient's to lay off the alcohol while on this med. I'm not sure if it interacts with the active ingredient like as with antibiotics or if it makes the active ingredient less effective as with other meds. Everything I looked up on this med. just says not to drink alcohol, but it doesn't say why. Sorry... 45 days without a cocktail is not too bad, maybe you could just skip your dose of meds when you will be drinking.
Has anyone had a problem getting Griseofulvin from the pharmacy? How expensive is it?, I have a fungal skin infection, that is covering most of my abdomen and I have been unable to get it from my pharmacy as there is a susposed shortage in the area.
I also noticed this morning that the tablets are not covered by the pbs so how much as i looking at paying?
Yes its backordered from several distributors, including cardinal health at the moment, but if you can get it it will run you anywhere from 4 to 5 dollars per pill
Hamster ill!!! Can I get Baytrill or Griseofulvin or any medication to help without seeing a vet????,
Baytril:
I use this antibiotic for my rats
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_enr...
Griseofulvin:
I've never used this fungicide
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_gri...
They are both prescription drugs and can't be bought without first seeing a vet. It sounds like your hamster really needs these drugs to save it's life. If he has a respiratory infection I know of no otc medicine that will control his illness. The drugs that we use for our rats' respiratory illnesses are all prescription.
There are alternatives (holistics) that can support the body's healing along with the prescription drugs that we use on our rats. A few people in this group also know about hamsters.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistarat
Edit:
After much research and a long talk with my vet about this issue I have learned that the FDA (Canada and the USA) is cracking down on the sale of Baytril without a prescription because the drug is being overused and abused. My vet (he and vet wife are both on the executive board of the Canadian Veterinarian Association) tells me that he knows of a farmer who is using Baytril on beef calves to control pneumonia. These are animals are going into the human food market and, with the antibiotic still in their tissues, this beef can pose a threat to us if our bodies should develope an antibiotic resistance to Baytril. It's these people who are ruining it for the rest of us rat/rodent keepers who rely on this drug.
I use to get Baytril from Global Pigeon but they can now suffer heavy fines if they are caught selling the product.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story...
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/83/i32/8332...
http://www.24x7updates.com/FullStory-New...
I tried to order Baytril from Jedd's but they can't sell it to me either. Just be careful that you are not getting a company in big trouble should you demand Baytril from them.
Baytril is the big gun of the antibiotic world and should be used as a last resort. It should be used carefully and discretely and by people who have first leaned how to use it through the consultation of their vet. If the bacteria in the hamster's body builds a resistance to the Baytril, there is no other antibiotic that will work for severe respiratory disease. For the rats we start with Amoxycillin at the first sign of respiratory disease, ie, the sneezing.
spazrats
"my life has gone to the Rats"
What treatment should be used for severe ringworm? My son is taking griseofulvin, and it's not helping.HELP!!, What should I do????? Griseofulvin is not helping!!! His ringworm is out of control, it is so bad you can't even imagine it. He is completely covered from neck to thighs, gigantic rings, it's just absolutely horrible. I put tea tree oil on him today, we'll see about that...HELP!! PLEASE!!!
It may take even two weeks to see a noticable difference with his medication. You may want to use an antifungal cream in combination. Always keep in touch with your doctor about these concerns. There are several treatment options.
can I take pain medication for my head ache while taking griseofulvin 250MG ultra?,
Pl try simple acupressure given below.
There is no medicine for H/A OR MIGRAINE. Not only these but for RA, OA, Back ache and almost all painful diseases. Hence they become chronic.
Acidity, WORRY, sadness, excessive wind, cold , heat, sour food and sinusitis, constipation, intestinal inflammation; drug side effects, stress, bad smell, TV & COMPUTER SOMETIMES,
Blockage in the flow of Vital Energy, BODY CONSTITUTION etc are their causes. None of them can be treated with medicine. Our 100% success in treating migraine &H/A confirms it.
Acupuncture is the best treatment.
I can treat it with naturopathy and YOG, but how can you manage pl see.
Pain killers don't treat the pain but we loose the sense of pain for some time; in that duration our body itself treats sometime and credit goes to meds.
The useless drugs have tremendous power of side effects like liver/kidney failures, ulcer, inflammation of intestines and lot more.
Avoid late sleeping if possible; worry, spicy foods, sour fruits, stale bakery foods, SMOKING and alcohole.
Sweet foods, COCOANUT WATER,sweet fruits, milk, rice, SPROUTS, SALADS and good sleep will help if cough is not there.
But you try one herbal remedy- two drops of drumstick leaves' juice in opposite nostril if one side pains and both nostrils if full H/A will give you rescue. Betel leaf helps but it is very strong.
If it is acute pl search a painful point 3-6 mm behind your thumb nail and press it, H/A will disappear within 30 seconds.
For forehead/eye pain the points are in front of nails on the finger tips or 3-7 mm below.
It may disappear naturally too.
Source(s):
SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE
R.H. 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.
What type of fatty food can I give to my kitten?My vet prescribed griseofulvin ansd it has to be taken w/ fat?,
Does your kitten have Ringworm? This is a hard drug for a kitten. Not usually a first choice.
Griseofulvin (Fulvicin)
(for veterinary information only)
BRAND NAME: FULVICIN
Available in 125mg & 250mg tablets
USES OF THIS MEDICATION
This medication is used to treat ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin involving fungi called dermatophytes. While it is possible for a ringworm lesion to be localized and require only topical therapy, this is not the usual situation and oral medication is necessary to control the skin disease. This medication should be continued until the patient has been cultured negative. If it is discontinued prematurely (such as when the skin disease simply appears to have resolved but has not been re-cultured), the skin disease may recur.
See more information on ringworm.
HOW THIS MEDICATION WORKS
Griseofulvin is produced by Penicillium bacteria. We have extracted it and made a medication of it. It acts by interfering with the microtubular structure of cell division so that fungal cells cannot reproduce. This enables the host's immune system to gain the upper hand and eliminate the infection. Griseofulvin is effective only against ringworm fungi; other fungi are not affected.
SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effect associated with this medication is nausea. Vomiting or diarrhea would indicate that the medication is upsetting the patient's stomach and alternative treatment should be considered. If this is not possible, anti-nausea medications may help. Kittens are more prone to side effects than are adult cats.
Griseofulvin may not be given to cats infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus as these individuals commonly develop blood dyscrasias. More specifically, they drop their neutrophil and lymphocyte counts so low that their immune system is affected. This side effect can occur in non-FIV+ cats as well but is much more rare. Some specialists recommend monitoring white blood counts every two weeks while a feline patient is on griseofulvin just to make sure this serious side effect is not occurring. Persian cats seem more prone to this side effect than are other breeds but not as prone as FIV+ cats.
CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS
GRISEOFULVIN WORKS BEST IF GIVEN WITH A FATTY MEAL (oil from oil packed canned tuna or butter should work well)
Griseofulvin can be harmful to the liver and should be avoided in patients who have known liver disease.
Griseofulvin causes birth defects if given to pregnant animals.
NEVER GIVE THIS MEDICATION TO A PREGNANT PET!
Recurrence of ringworm infection is not uncommon if an incomplete course of medication is given. Griseofulvin should be given until a fungal culture is negative.
INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DRUGS
Concurrent use of phenobarbital(medication for epilepsy) will reduce absorption of griseofulvin from the patient's GI tract.
It is our policy not to give dosing information over the Internet.
Date Published: 1/1/2001
Date Revised: 07/19/2004
Is this ok for my dog FULVICIN U/F (GRISEOFULVIN) 500MG GENERIC?, My vet perscribed this and it is at human pharmacies (made for humans not dogs.) Anyways my vet wants me to give it to my dog for ringworm. I'm worried to give her anything, she looks totally fine and healthy. She is a lab, only 11 months old weighs like 80 lbs. Please only answer if you know! I'm thinking of getting a second opinion.
Fulvicin is used to treat ringworm and fungal infections. It's safe for your dog and you should continue using it. I have heard that using if regularly long term can cause liver damage but that isn't the situation with your dog. I just filled a prescription for my cat at the pharmacy.
Which diseases are resistant to Cephalosporin, griseofulvin,Bacitracin, and Polymyxin B?,
You are asking about antibiotics (cephalosporins, bacitracin, polymyxin B) and antimycotics (griseofulvin). Actually, any germ can develop resistance to any antibiotic treatment. Plus, cephalosporins is a group of antibiotics, with 4 generations and each generation differs in efficacy against bacteria.
