Griseofulvin, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antifungal

Generic and brand names: griseofulvin microsize, oral; griseofulvin ultramicrosize, oral; Gris-Peg

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat fungus and ringworm infections of the skin and other parts of the body. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• liver or kidney disease
• lupus
• porphyria (nerve pain or sensitivity to sunlight)

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant within 1 month after you stop taking this medicine. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because it may harm the baby. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine. Birth control pills may not work. Use another form of birth control while taking this medicine. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

Males: This medicine may affect sperm. Use an effective birth control method while you are taking this medicine and for 6 months after you stop taking it.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine with high fat meals or milk to lessen stomach upset and help the medicine work better.

If you are taking the liquid form of this medicine, shake the bottle well before measuring a dose. Use a dose-measuring device to make sure you get a correct dose.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. If you stop taking it too soon, the infection may return.

Do not take the medicine for any other conditions, even if they seem similar, without your healthcare provider's approval.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, numbness, tingling, confusion.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine can harm sperm and cause birth defects. Men should use condoms while having sexual intercourse during this treatment and for a least 6 months after the last dose.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. A reaction to the sun may worsen lupus. If you get a severe reaction or sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol increases your risk for side effects. Talk with your provider about this.

Your healthcare provider will check your progress regularly while you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical treatment or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash;, tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Confusion, numbness or tingling in hands or feet.

Other: Headache, sensitivity to sun, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• antiseizure medicines such as phenobarbital and primidone (Mysoline)
• birth control pills and hormones such as estrogen (Premarin, Estrace) and medroxyprogesterone (Provera, Depo-Provera)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• salicylates such as aspirin, salsalate (Disalcid, Salsitab), and magnesium salicylate (Doan's)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not freeze.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.