Kenza Health Hub logoGet Started
1 May 2026Oral drugs

Griseofulvin oral

Griseofulvin guidance for dermatophyte infections of the scalp, skin, and folds, with long-course dosing and pregnancy contraindication.

Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.

Therapeutic action

Antifungal.

Indications

  • Dermatophyte infections of the scalp (scalp ringworm).
  • Dermatophyte infections of the skin and folds in the event of extended lesions or if topical treatment has failed.

Forms and strengths

  • 125 mg and 500 mg tablets.

Dose

  • Child 1 to 12 years: 10 to 20 mg/kg once daily, maximum 500 mg daily.
  • Child 12 years and over and adult: 500 mg once daily; 1 g once daily in severe infections.
  • 1 to < 2 years and 10 to < 13 kg: 1 tablet of 125 mg or 1/4 tablet of 500 mg.
  • 2 to < 7 years and 13 to < 24 kg: 2 tablets of 125 mg or 1/2 tablet of 500 mg.
  • 7 to < 12 years and 24 to < 35 kg: 4 tablets of 125 mg or 1 tablet of 500 mg.
  • >= 12 years and adult, >= 35 kg: 4 to 8 tablets of 125 mg or 1 to 2 tablets of 500 mg.

Duration

  • Scalp: minimum 6 weeks.
  • Skin and folds: 4 to 6 weeks.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

  • Do not administer to patients with hepatic impairment, lupus erythematosus, or porphyria.
  • May cause gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, skin reactions, and photosensitivity.
  • In women, use non-hormonal contraception or injectable medroxyprogesterone during treatment and up to one month after the end of treatment.
  • Monitor patients taking warfarin because anticoagulant effect is decreased.
  • Avoid alcohol during treatment because of antabuse effect.
  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: contraindicated.

Dosage

Griseofulvin tablet dose by age and weight
AgeWeight125 mg tablet500 mg tablet
1 to < 2 years10 to < 13 kg1 tab¼ tab
2 to < 7 years13 to < 24 kg2 tab½ tab
7 to < 12 years24 to < 35 kg4 tab1 tab
≥ 12 years and adult≥ 35 kg4 to 8 tab1 to 2 tab

Source

MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)

This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.

Rate this guide

Be the first to rate this guide.