Griseofulvin
Griseofulvin, sold here as Fulvicin 250 mg tablets, is an oral antifungal that treats dermatophyte infections of the scalp, skin and nails, from ringworm to athlete’s foot.
Key points
- Griseofulvin treats Tinea Capitis and also covers Tinea Corporis and nail infections that topical antifungals cannot reach.
- It works by disrupting microtubule assembly in dermatophyte fungi, halting their division without killing them outright.
- Griseofulvin may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, and it is not suitable during pregnancy or in people with liver failure or porphyria.
How does Griseofulvin work?
Griseofulvin interferes with the microtubules that dermatophyte fungi need to build their mitotic spindle. Without that structure, the fungus cannot divide, and the infection clears as the body sheds affected tissue. It is fungistatic: it halts growth rather than destroying the organism.
The body eliminates griseofulvin quickly, so a full course takes an extended period. It is poorly soluble in water, which is why taking it alongside a fatty meal improves absorption. Griseofulvin is an Antifungals agent that targets dermatophytes specifically. It does not work against yeast infections such as candida, nor against dimorphic fungi.