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Griseofulvin

Prescription ANDA TE AB Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Griseofulvin
Generic name
Griseofulvin
Dosage form
Suspension
Route
Oral
Marketing category
ANDA · ANDA
Labeler
Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
1
NDC product codes
3
Packages
3
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Griseofulvin 125 mg/5mL 239239 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Suspension
Route of administration
Oral
Presentations
6

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Decreased Mitosis [PE] PE 5 members — no class page
Microtubule Inhibition [PE] PE All 18 members
Tubulin Inhibiting Agent [EPC] EPC 5 members — no class page

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
065438
Application type
ANDA · Abbreviated New Drug Application
Approval date
October 8, 2010
Sponsor
COSETTE PHARMS NC
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
1
Products approved under application 065438.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
065438-001 GRISEOFULVIN SUSPENSION GRISEOFULVIN, MICROSIZE Prescription AB

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB
Reference Listed Drug
No
Reference Standard
No

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 065438.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Original application 1 Approved October 8, 2010 —

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20241202). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20241202 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20241028 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20230930

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Griseofulvin oral suspension, USP 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

openFDA Drug Labeling

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 four times a day., 250 mg twice a day, 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 1.0 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 lbs, 125 mg to 250 mg daily; pediatric patients over 50 lbs, 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

openFDA Drug Labeling

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 1,000 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 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 1,000 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 Prophylactic Usage: Safety and efficacy of prophylactic use of this drug has not been established. Chronic feeding of griseofulvin, at levels ranging from 0.5-2.5% of the diet, resulted in the development of liver tumors in several strains of mice, particularly in males. Smaller particle sizes result in an enhanced effect. Lower oral dosage levels have not been tested. Subcutaneous administration of relatively small doses of griseofulvin once a week during the first three weeks of life has also been reported to induce hepatomata in mice. Although studies in other animal species have not yielded evidence of tumorigenicity, these studies were not of adequate design to form a basis for conclusions in this regard. In subacute toxicity studies, orally administered griseofulvin produced hepatocellular necrosis in mice, but this has not been seen in other species. Disturbances in porphyrin metabolism have been reported in griseofulvin-treated laboratory animals. Griseofulvin has been reported to have a colchicine-like effect on mitosis and cocarcinogenicity with methylcholanthrene in cutaneous tumor induction in laboratory animals. Reports of animal studies in the Soviet literature state that a griseofulvin preparation was found to be embryotoxic and teratogenic on oral administration to pregnant Wistar rats. Rat reproduction studies done in the United States and Great Britain were inconclusive in this regard. Pups with abnormalities have been reported in the litters of a few bitches treated with griseofulvin. Because the potential for adverse effects on the human fetus cannot be ruled out, additional contraceptive precautions should be taken during treatment with griseofulvin and for a month after termination of treatment. Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP should not be prescribed to women intending to become pregnant within one month following cessation of therapy. Suppression of spermatogenesis has been reported to occur in rats but investigation in man failed to confirm this. Griseofulvin interferes with chromosomal distribution during cell division, causing aneuploidy in plant and mammalian cells. These effects have been demonstrated in vitro at concentrations that may be achieved in the serum with the recommended therapeutic dosage. Since griseofulvin has demonstrated harmful effects in vitro on the genotype in bacteria, plants, and fungi, males should wait at least six months after completing griseofulvin therapy before fathering a child.

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

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 Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-922-1038 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

Drug Interactions: Griseofulvin has been reported in the literature to interfere with the metabolism of various compounds. Whether this is due to a P-450 mediated enzyme induction effects on sulfurtransferase and/or glucotransferase activity, or some other mechanism is unknown. Griseofulvin decreases the activity of warfarin-type anticoagulants, so that patients receiving these drugs concomitantly may require dosage adjustment of the anticoagulant during and after griseofulvin therapy. Griseofulvin may enhance the hepatic metabolism of estrogens, including the estrogen component of oral contraceptives, thereby reducing the effectiveness of contraception and causing menstrual irregularities. Therefore, an alternate or second form of birth control may be indicated during periods of concurrent use (see also CONTRAINDICATIONS ). Cyclosporine levels may be reduced when administered concomitantly with griseofulvin, resulting in a decrease in the pharmacologic effects of cyclosporine. Serum salicylate concentrations may be decreased when griseofulvin is given concomitantly with salicylates. Barbiturates usually depress griseofulvin activity by decreasing plasma levels and concomitant administration may require a dosage adjustment of the antifungal agent. Nausea, vomiting, flushing, tachycardia, and severe hypotension have been reported following alcohol ingestion during griseofulvin therapy.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

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: 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 Oral Suspension, USP is orange in color with orange flavor. Each 5 mL of Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP contains 125 mg of griseofulvin microsize and also contains alcohol 0.2%, docusate sodium, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6, magnesium aluminum silicate, menthol, methylparaben, orange flavor, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water, saccharin sodium, simethicone emulsion (silicon dioxide, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, and sorbic acid), sodium alginate, and sucrose. Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP may contain dibasic sodium phosphate or potassium phosphate monobasic for pH adjustment. Structural Formula of griseofulvin

OVERDOSAGE There is limited experience on overdose with griseofulvin. In case of overdosage, discontinue medication, treat symptomatically and institute supportive measures as required.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

How Supplied Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP (microsize) 125 mg per 5 mL is available as follows: 4 fl oz (120 mL) bottle (NDC 62135-968-41) Dispense Griseofulvin Oral Suspension, USP in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP. STORAGE Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Manufactured by: Chartwell Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Congers, NY 10920 Manufactured for: Chartwell RX, LLC. Congers, NY 10920 L70567 Rev: 08/2021

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
286
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: GRISEOFULVIN. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
0472-0013-04 0472-0013 Actavis Pharma, Inc. 120 mL in 1 BOTTLE (0472-0013-04) July 26, 2007
62135-968-41 62135-968 Chartwell RX, LLC. 120 mL in 1 BOTTLE (62135-968-41) August 26, 2021
0713-0850-04 0713-0850 Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 118 mL in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (0713-0850-04) November 1, 2022
0472-0013 0472-0013 Actavis Pharma, Inc. — July 26, 2007
62135-968 62135-968 Chartwell RX, LLC. — March 2, 2005
0713-0850 0713-0850 Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — November 1, 2022

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.