Griseofulvin 500 mg Tablet, 30-count
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Tubulin Inhibiting Agent class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Griseofulvin is used to treat skin infections such as jock itch, athlete's foot, and ringworm; and fungal infections of the scalp, fingernails, and toenails. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- It really can be — and that's one of the most important things to understand about this medication. Fungal infections of the nails especially can take at least 4 to 6 months to cle...
- How long do I have to take griseofulvin? It seems like a really long time.
- Yes, and specifically with a fatty meal if you can. Studies show that eating something high in fat — like a full meal with dairy or meat — dramatically increases how much of the me...
- It's best to avoid alcohol entirely during treatment. The combination of griseofulvin and alcohol has been reported to cause an unpleasant and potentially dangerous reaction — naus...
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Griseofulvin — tap one for details:
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💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII 2S7830E561
Crospovidone is a synthetic polymer derived from povidone. It acts as a disintegrant, helping the tablet or capsule break apart quickly in the stomach so the active ingredient can be absorbed.
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UNII EWQ57Q8I5X
Lactose monohydrate is a natural sugar derived from milk. It serves as a filler and binder in tablets and capsules, helping create the proper size, texture, and consistency of the medicine.
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UNII 70097M6I30
Magnesium stearate is a salt made from magnesium and stearic acid, a fatty substance. It's used in tablets and capsules as a lubricant and glidant to help ingredients flow smoothly during manufacturing and prevent sticking.
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UNII B697894SGQ
Polyethylene glycol 400 is a clear, thick liquid made from petroleum-derived polymers. It acts as a solvent and humectant in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and retain moisture in the formulation.
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UNII Q662QK8M3B
Polyethylene glycol 8000 is a synthetic polymer made from ethylene oxide. It acts as a binder and filler in tablets and capsules, helping hold ingredients together and add bulk to the medicine.
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UNII FZ989GH94E
Povidone is a synthetic polymer made from a plastic-like material. It acts as a binder to hold tablet ingredients together and as a disintegrant to help the tablet break apart in your stomach so the medicine can be absorbed.
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UNII ETJ7Z6XBU4
Silicon dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral used as a glidant and anti-caking agent. It helps powder ingredients flow smoothly and prevents clumping during manufacturing and storage.
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UNII O8232NY3SJ
A plant-based carbohydrate derived from corn kernels. It acts as a filler to add bulk, a binder to hold ingredients together, and a disintegrant to help the tablet break apart in your stomach for absorption.
8 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
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ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per ea | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $5.684 | $170.53 / 30 tablets |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $6.54 | $196.19 / 30 tablets |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $6.66 | $199.91 / 30 tablets |
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🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griseofulvin 500 mg 00781-5515-01 | Sandoz | 100 tablets | $5.684 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Griseofulvin Microsize 500 mg 23155-0865-01 | Heritage | 100 tablets | $5.684 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Griseofulvin 500 mgthis 42794-0012-08 | Sigmapharm | 30 tablets | $5.684 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Griseofulvin MICROSIZE 500 mg 62135-0496-01 | Chartwell | 100 tablets | $5.684 | AB | Availability likely | — |
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⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
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🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42794-0012-08 You're viewing this | 30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (42794-012-08) | 2016-07-01 | Active |
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Griseofulvin is indicated for the treatment of dermatophyte infections of the skin not adequately treated by topical therapy, hair and nails, namely: Tinea corporis Tinea pedis Tinea cruris Tinea barbae Tinea capitis Tinea unguium when caused by one or more of the following species of fungi: Epidermophyton floccosum Microsporum audouinii Microsporum canis Microsporum gypseum Trichophyton crateriform Trichophyton gallinae Trichophyton interdigitalis Trichophyton megnini Trichophyton mentagrophytes Trichophyton rubrum Trichophyton schoenleini Trichophyton sulphureum Trichophyton tonsurans Trichophyton verrucosum Note: Prior to therapy, a dermatophyte should be identified as responsible for the infection.
Prior to initiating treatment, appropriate specimens for laboratory testing (KOH preparation, fungal culture, or nail biopsy) should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis. Griseofulvin is not effective in the following: Bacterial infections Candidiasis (Moniliasis) Histoplasmosis Actinomycosis Sporotrichosis Chromoblastomycosis Coccidioidomycosis North American Blastomycosis Cryptococcosis (Torulosis) Tinea versicolor Nocardiosis The use of this drug is not justified in minor or trivial dermatophyte infections which will respond to topical agents alone.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND 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 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.
In some forms of tinea pedis, yeasts and bacteria may be involved as well as dermatophytes. Griseofulvin will not eradicate these associated bacterial or yeast infections. ADULTS: 0.5 g daily (125 mg q.i.d., 250 mg b.i.d., or 500 mg/day).
Patients with less severe or 300 extensive infections may require less, whereas those with widespread lesions may require a starting dose of 0.75 g to 1 g/day. This may be reduced gradually to 0.5 g or less after a response has been noted. In all cases, the dosage should be individualized.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS (older than 2 years): A dosage of 10 mg/kg daily is usually adequate (pediatric patients from 30 to 50 lb, 125 mg to 250 mg daily; pediatric patients over 50 lb, 250 mg to 500 mg daily, in divided doses). Dosage should be individualized, as with adults. Clinical relapse will occur if the medication is not continued until the infecting organism is eradicated.
Safety is not established at higher doses than recommended.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Griseofulvin is contraindicated in patients with porphyria or hepatocellular failure, and in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to griseofulvin. Griseofulvin may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Two published cases of conjoined twins have been reported in patients taking griseofulvin during the first trimester of pregnancy, therefore, griseofulvin is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant during treatment.
Women taking estrogen-containing oral contraceptives may be at increased risk of becoming pregnant while on griseofulvin (see also PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions ). If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Although no direct causal relationship has been established, spontaneous abortion has been reported rarely coincident with the use of griseofulvin.
Note: The Maximum Recommend Human Dose (MRHD) was set at 500 mg/day for the multiple of human exposure calculations performed in this label. If higher doses than 500 mg/day were used clinically, then the multiple of human exposure would be correspondingly reduced for that dose. For example, if a 1000 mg/day dose was administered to an individual, then the multiple of human exposure would be reduced by a factor of 2.
Griseofulvin has been shown to be embryotoxic and teratogenic in pregnant rats when given at a daily oral dose of 250 mg/kg/day [4X the Maximum Recommended Human Dose (MRHD) based on a Body Surface Area (BSA)]. Griseofulvin also has been shown to be embryotoxic and teratogenic in pregnant cats treated weekly with griseofulvin at doses of 500 to 1000 mg/week. There are reports of teratogenicity in a Golden Retriever when doses of 750 mg/day [1.2X the MRHD based on BSA] were administered for four weeks prior to and throughout the pregnancy, and in a study in which beagles were administered 35 mg/kg/day [1.9X the MRHD based on BSA] for intervals from one week up to the entire gestation period.
Teratogenicity was also seen in mice when griseofulvin was administered in doses equivalent to 5g/kg/day [40X the MRHD based on BSA] for 2 consecutive days at various stages of the pregnancy.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS Prophylactic Usage Safety and efficacy of griseofulvin for prophylaxis of fungal infections have not been established. Serious Skin Reactions Severe skin reactions (e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) and erythema multiforme have been reported with griseofulvin use.
These reactions may be serious and may result in hospitalization or death. If severe skin reactions occur, griseofulvin should be discontinued (see ADVERSE REACTIONS section). Hepatotoxicity Elevations in AST, ALT, bilirubin, and jaundice have been reported with griseofulvin use.
These reactions may be serious and may result in hospitalization or death. Patients should be monitored for hepatic adverse events and discontinuation of griseofulvin considered if warranted (see ADVERSE REACTIONS section).
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS There have been post-marketing reports of severe skin and hepatic adverse events associated with griseofulvin use (see WARNINGS section). When adverse reactions occur, they are most commonly of the hypersensitivity type such as skin rashes, urticaria, and rarely, angioneurotic edema, and erythema multiforme. These may necessitate withdrawal of therapy and appropriate countermeasures.
Peripheral neuropathy and paresthesias of the hands and feet have been reported and may be related to treatment duration. Most patients treated with griseofulvin for less than six months experienced improvement or resolution of their neuropathy upon withdrawal of the griseofulvin. 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, nephrosis (sometimes associated with existing systemic lupus erythematosus), leukopenia, coagulopathy, hepatitis, elevated liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia, and GI bleeding have been reported rarely. Administration of the drug should be discontinued if granulocytopenia occurs. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS , contact Sigmapharm Laboratories, LLC, Pharmacovigilance at 1-855-332-0731 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE There is limited experience on overdose with griseofulvin. In case of overdosage, discontinue medication, treat symptomatically and institute supportive measures as required.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Griseofulvin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract varies considerably among individuals mainly because of insolubility of the drug in aqueous media of the upper GI tract. Drug absorption has been estimated to range between 27 and 72%. After an oral dose, griseofulvin is primarily absorbed from the duodenum with some absorption occurring from jejunum and ileum.
The peak serum level in fasting adults given 0.5 g of griseofulvin microsize occurs at about four hours and ranges between 0.5 to 2 mcg/mL. The serum level may be increased by giving the drug with a meal with a high fat content. In one study in pediatric patients 19 months to 11 years of age, 10 mg/kg of griseofulvin microsize given with milk resulted in mean peak serum concentrations approximately four-fold greater than the same griseofulvin dose given alone (1.29 mcg/mL versus 0.34 mcg/mL, respectively).
Also, the area under the curve value was ten-fold larger when 10 mg/kg griseofulvin and milk were administered simultaneously as compared to the same dosage given to fasting patients. In addition, griseofulvin administered with milk resulted in more consistently detected serum levels across subjects. Following oral administration, griseofulvin is deposited in the keratin precursor cells and has a greater affinity for diseased tissue.
The drug is tightly bound to the new keratin which becomes highly resistant to fungal invasions. When the drug is discontinued, griseofulvin concentrations in the skin decline less rapidly than those in plasma. Griseofulvin is metabolized by the liver to 6-desmethylgriseofulvin and its glucuronide conjugate.
Griseofulvin has a variable elimination half-life in plasma (9 to 24 hours). Approximately 30% of a single oral dose of griseofulvin is excreted in the urine within 24 hours and about 50% of the dose is excreted in the urine within 5 days, mostly in the form of metabolites. Unchanged griseofulvin in the urine accounts for less than 1% of the administered dose.
In addition, approximately one-third of a single dose of griseofulvin is excreted in feces within 5 days. Griseofulvin is also excreted in perspiration. Microbiology Mechanism of Action: The mechanism of Griseofulvin consists of binding microtubular proteins, which are required for mitosis.
Activity In Vivo: Griseofulvin may be active against most strains of the following dermatophytes as described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section: Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton crateriformis, Trichophyton gallinae, Trichophyton interdigitalis, Trichophyton megnini, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton sulphureum, Trichophyton schoenleini, Trichophyton tonsurans, and Trichophyton verrucosum. It has no effect on bacteria or on other genera of fungi.
Activity In Vitro: In vitro, griseofulvin has been shown to have activity against many dermophytes, but the clinical significance is unknown. Drug Resistance: Although there have been reports of dermatophyte resistance to griseofulvin, the clinical significance is unknown. Susceptibility Testing For specific information regarding susceptibility test interpretive criteria and associated test methods and quality control standards recognized by FDA for this drug, please see: https://www.fda.gov/STIC.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Griseofulvin Tablets, USP (microsize) 500 mg are white, capsule shaped, bisected tablets, debossed with ‘Σ’ and ‘12’ on either side of the bisection and plain on the other side, and supplied in bottles of 30s (NDC 42794-012-08). Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense in a tight container as defined in the USP. Rx ONLY Sigmapharm Laboratories, LLC Bensalem, PA 19020 OS012A-02 REV.0221
📋 Description ▾
Prescribing Information DESCRIPTION Griseofulvin microsize contains griseofulvin microsize for oral administration. The active ingredient, griseofulvin, is a fungistatic antibiotic derived from a species of Penicillium . The chemical name of griseofulvin is 7-chloro-2’,4,6-trimethoxy-6’β-methylspiro[benzofuran-2(3H),1’-[2]cyclohexane]-3-4’-dione.
Its structural formula is: C 17 H 17 ClO 6 M.W = 352.77 Griseofulvin occurs as a white to creamy white, bitter tasting powder which is very slightly soluble in water and sparingly soluble in alcohol. Griseofulvin microsize contains particles of approximately 2 to 4 µm in diameter. Griseofulvin Tablets, USP (microsize) 500 mg are white, capsule shaped, bisected tablets, debossed with ‘Σ’ and ‘12’ on either side of the bisection and plain on the other side.
Each Griseofulvin Tablet, USP (microsize) 500 mg contains 500 mg of griseofulvin microsize, and also contains corn starch, povidone, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol 8000, lactose monohydrate, crospovidone, silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate. Meets USP Dissolution Test 2. chemical structure