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Fulvicin P/G Side Effects

Generic name: griseofulvin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 17, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Fulvicin P/G.

Applies to griseofulvin: oral suspension, oral tablet Side Effects associated with griseofulvin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Fulvicin P/G.

Applies to griseofulvin: oral suspension, oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor should check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

If your symptoms do not improve, or if they become worse, check with your doctor. You may need to take this medicine for several weeks or months before your infection gets better.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause serious unwanted effects in your newborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; red skin lesions; severe acne or skin rash; sores or ulcers on the skin; or fever or chills while you are using this medicine.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach; pale stools; dark urine; loss of appetite; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Griseofulvin has been shown to cause liver and thyroid tumors in some animals. You and your doctor should discuss the good this medicine will do, as well as the risks of taking it.

Birth control pills containing estrogen may not work properly if you take them while you are taking griseofulvin (the active ingredient contained in Fulvicin P/G) Unplanned pregnancies may occur. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control for up to 1 month after your last treatment. Other forms of birth control include condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams or jellies.

Griseofulvin may increase the effects of alcohol. If taken with alcohol it may also cause fast heartbeat, flushing, increased sweating, or redness of the face. If you have these symptoms, do not drink alcoholic beverages while you are taking this medicine, unless you have checked first with your doctor.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other things that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.

Griseofulvin may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine:

If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Fulvicin P/G

Along with its needed effects, griseofulvin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking griseofulvin:

More common side effects

  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • chills
  • cough
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • itching
  • joint or muscle pain
  • red, irritated eyes
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

  • confusion
  • increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
  • skin rash, hives, or itching
  • soreness or irritation of the mouth or tongue

Rare side effects

  • black, tarry stools
  • chest pain
  • cloudy urine
  • large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  • numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
  • painful or difficult urination
  • shortness of breath
  • swollen glands
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

  • abdominal or stomach pain
  • burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  • clay-colored stools
  • dark urine
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • vomiting of blood

Other side effects of Fulvicin P/G

Some side effects of griseofulvin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • hives or welts
  • redness of the skin

Less common side effects

  • trouble with sleeping

Incidence not known

  • heartburn
  • pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
  • sleeplessness
  • unable to sleep
  • white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
  • white patches with diaper rash

For healthcare professionals

Applies to griseofulvin: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral suspension, oral tablet.

Nervous system adverse events

Headache was sometimes severe and usually disappeared during continued therapy.

Neuropathy and paresthesia have been reported in a few cases of long-term therapy with this drug. In 1 woman, paresthesia reportedly developed in the fingers and feet after 6 months of therapy. Neuropathy progressed for 4 months after the drug was discontinued but resolved 8 months after therapy was discontinued.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

A moderate but inconsistent increase of fecal protoporphyrins has been observed when this drug was used for a prolonged duration.[Ref]

Dermatologic

At least 1 reported case of toxic epidermal necrolysis resulted in death.

Fixed-drug eruptions have been verified by rechallenge.

A patient with Hailey-Hailey disease (chronic benign familial pemphigus) experienced a widespread bullous eruption due to this drug.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Metabolic

Hypersensitivity

Hepatic

Liver function tests were elevated to greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal.[Ref]

Hematologic

Leukopenia, neutropenia, and anemia generally resolved when therapy was stopped.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

At least 1 fatal case of systemic lupus erythematosus exacerbation occurred after ingestion of about 1 g of this drug.[Ref]

Renal

A patient developed interstitial nephritis after 1 year of therapy. The patient presented with renal insufficiency, hematuria, pyuria, eosinophiluria, and anemia. Renal function returned to normal after 1 year.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Other

A disulfiram-like reaction (including flushing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, paresthesia of the extremities) occurred in 1 patient who ingested this drug with alcohol.[Ref]

See also:

References

1. Lecky BR (1990) "Griseofulvin-induced neuropathy." Lancet, 1, p. 230-1

2. "Product Information. Grifulvin V (griseofulvin)." Ortho McNeil Pharmaceutical

3. (2002) "Product Information. Fulvicin P/G (griseofulvin)." Schering Corporation

4. Gupta AK, Ryder JE (2003) "The use of oral antifungal agents to treat onychomycosis." Dermatol Clin, 21, 469-79, vi

5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

7. Feinstein A, Sofer E, Trau H, Schewach-Millet M (1984) "Urticaria and fixed drug eruption in a patient treated with griseofulvin." J Am Acad Dermatol, 10, p. 915-7

8. Taylor B, Duffill M (1988) "Toxic epidermal necrolysis from griseofulvin." J Am Acad Dermatol, 19, p. 565-6

9. Boudghene-Stambouli O, Merad-Boudia A (1989) "Fixed drug eruption induced by griseofulvin." Dermatologica, 179, p. 92-3

10. Rustin MH, Bunker CB, Dowd PM, Robinson TW (1989) "Erythema multiforme due to griseofulvin." Br J Dermatol, 120, p. 455-8

11. Mion G, Verdon R, Le Gulluche YL, Carstein H, Garcia A, Guilbaud J (1989) "Fatal toxic epidermal necrolysis after griseofulvin." Lancet, 2, p. 1331

12. Meffert JJ, Davis BM, Campbell JC (1995) "Bullous drug eruption to griseofulvin in a man with hailey-hailey disease." Cutis, 56, p. 279-80

13. Miyagawa S, Sakamoto K (1989) "Adverse reaction to griseofulvin in patients with circulating anti-ssa/ro and ssb/la autoantibodies." Am J Med, 87, p. 99-102

14. Debruyne D, Coquerel A (2001) "Pharmacokinetics of antifungal agents in onychomycoses." Clin Pharmacokinet, 40, p. 441-72

15. Madhok R, Zoma A, Capell H (1985) "Fatal exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus after treatment with griseofulvin." Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 291, p. 249-50

16. Miyagawa S, Okuchi T, Shiomi Y, Sakamoto K (1989) "Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus lesions precipitated by griseofulvin." J Am Acad Dermatol, 21, p. 343-6

17. Davidson BK (1995) "Myositis associated with griseofulvin therapy." Am Fam Physician, 52, p. 1277

18. Fett DL, Vukov LF (1994) "An unusual case of severe griseofulvin alcohol interaction." Ann Emerg Med, 24, p. 95-7

Further information

Fulvicin P/G side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.