Griseofulvin Side Effects

Brand Names: Gris-PEG

Please note - some side effects for Griseofulvin may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Griseofulvin - for the Consumer

Griseofulvin Microsize

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Griseofulvin Microsize:

Diarrhea; difficulty sleeping; dizziness; fatigue; headache; nausea; stomach upset; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; numbness of tingling of the hands or feet; white patches in the mouth.

Griseofulvin Microsize Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Griseofulvin Microsize Tablets:

Diarrhea; stomach upset.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; fever; flu-like symptoms (eg, headache, joint pain); numbness or tingling in the hands or feet; sore throat; white patches in the mouth.

Griseofulvin Ultramicrosize Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Griseofulvin Ultramicrosize Tablets:

Diarrhea; upset stomach.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; fever; flu-like symptoms (eg, headache, joint pain); sore throat; white patches in the mouth.

Griseofulvin Side Effects - for the Professional

Griseofulvin

When adverse reactions occur, they are most commonly of the hypersensitivity type such as skin rashes, urticaria and rarely, angioneurotic edema 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.

Side Effects by Body System

Hypersensitivity

Fixed-drug eruptions have been verified by rechallenge.

One reported case of toxic epidermal necrolysis resulted in death.

One fatal case of SLE exacerbation occurred after ingestion of approximately 1 gram of griseofulvin.

A patient with Hailey-Hailey disease (chronic benign familial pemphigus) experienced a widespread bullous eruption due to griseofulvin therapy.

Lesions commonly begin on sun-exposed areas.

Hypersensitivity side effects have been reported most commonly. These have included rash, urticaria, fixed-drug eruptions, and photosensitivity. Toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and SLE-like syndrome have been reported less often. A single case of griseofulvin-induced myositis has been reported.

Renal

One patient developed interstitial nephritis after one year of griseofulvin therapy. The patient presented with renal insufficiency, hematuria, pyuria, eosinophiluria, and anemia. Renal function returned to normal after one year.

Renal side effects including proteinuria and interstitial nephritis have been reported.

Nervous system

Neuropathy and paresthesias have been reported in a few cases of long-term griseofulvin therapy. One woman reportedly developed paresthesias in the fingers and feet after 6 months of griseofulvin therapy. Neuropathy progressed for 4 months after the drug was discontinued but resolved 8 months after therapy was discontinued.

Nervous system side effects have included headache, fatigue, insomnia, and mental confusion. Neuropathy and development of paresthesias of the hands and feet have been reported with long-term use. Dizziness has also been reported occasionally.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting, abdominal distress, and thrush.

Endocrine

Endocrinologic adverse effects have included menstrual irregularities.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including leucopenia and exacerbation of porphyria have been reported.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects including hepatotoxicity have been reported.

Other

Other side effects including fever and a disulfiram-like reaction have been reported. Impairment of performance of routine activities has been reported occasionally.

A disulfiram-like reaction, including flushing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and paresthesias of the extremities, occurred in one patient who ingested griseofulvin with alcohol.

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