What is the drug "Griseofulvin"? Instructions for use, price, reviews, analogues and indications for taking this drug will be described in detail below. Also from the materials of the article you will learn about whether this medication has adverse reactions and contraindications, what pharmacological and pharmacokinetic features it has, and more.
Composition, description, packaging and form
What is the composition of the drug "Griseofulvin"? Instructions, reviews indicate that the active component of this tool is griseofulvin.
The drug goes on sale in the form of white tablets with a cream color. The medicine is odorless, but it tastes bitter. You can buy the drug in cardboard packs, where blisters with tablets of 10 pieces are placed.
In addition to the indicated form, this product is also sold in the form of liniment, which goes on sale in orange glass cans of 30 g each.
Pharmacological properties of the drug
What is the mechanism of action of the drug "Griseofulvin"? Instructions for use, reviews about this medication inform patients that it is an antifungal agent. This drug has a fungistatic effect (aimed at stopping the growth and development of parasitic fungi) on:
- various types of lermatomycetes - parasitic fungi that cause skin diseases;
- microsporums (i.e., parasitic fungi that are the causative agents of microsporia in humans) ;
- trichophytons, that is, parasitic fungi that are causative agents of skin diseases and nails (mainly scalp);
- epidermophytons (i.e. parasitic fungi - causative agents of epidermophytosis in humans, or rather, inflammatory lesions of the skin of the feet, inguinal region and nails).
Features of the drug
Does the medication “Griseofulvin” help with candidiasis? Reviews of experts report that with diseases caused by parasitic yeast-like fungi, it is ineffective.
An important feature of this drug is its exceptional effect when taken orally. The activity of the main component, griseofulvin, depends on the dispersion of its crystals, as well as the specific surface area of the powder associated with this feature.
The finely crystalline form of the drug is two times less active than the highly micronized form. Today, pharmacists produce mainly highly dispersed drug.
Pharmacokinetic properties
What pharmacokinetic features does Griseofulvin have? Reviews of experts report that the metabolism of this medicine is carried out in the liver. In this case, such basic metabolites as the glucuronide derivative and 6-methylgryseofulvin are formed.
The half-life of the drug is exactly one day. It is excreted through the kidneys and along with feces.
Indications for use
For what purposes can Griseofulvin tablets be prescribed? Reviews of experts indicate that this drug is the main treatment for patients who have been diagnosed with a fungal skin disease such as dermatomycosis.
It should also be said that this medication is often prescribed for favus (that is, fungal infections of the skin, mainly the scalp), microsporia and trichophytosis (parasitic fungal diseases).
In addition, the drug "Griseofulvin" effectively manifests itself in epidermophytosis - a skin disease that was caused by filamentous. It is also prescribed for trichophytone, the causative agent of ringworm, and for lesions of the nail plates (onychomycosis), which were caused by pathogenic parasitic fungi.
Contraindications
The drug "Griseofulvin" from lichen helps very well. However, before using it for the treatment of skin diseases, it is imperative to familiarize yourself with the available contraindications.
According to the attached instructions, this medication is not recommended for severe leukopenia and systemic blood diseases. Also, it is not used for organic diseases of the kidneys and liver, porphyrin disease (this is the common name for hereditary diseases that are associated with impaired pigment metabolism).
It is highly undesirable to use the drug for malignant neoplasms, during breastfeeding and during gestation. Also, Griseofulvin tablets are not used on an outpatient basis (that is, outside the hospital) by pilots, drivers of vehicles and people engaged in high-altitude work.
In addition to all of the above, the instruction of the drug in question contains the following prohibitions:
- lupus erythematosus;
- uterine bleeding;
- change in the composition (morphological) of blood;
- cerebrovascular accident;
- hypersensitivity of the patient to griseofulvin.
The drug "Griseofulvin": instructions for use
Price, reviews about this tool will be described at the very end of the article.
How should I use the medication in question? According to the attached instructions, tablets must be taken orally with food. In some cases, doctors recommend combining the drug with 1 dessert spoon of vegetable oil.
As for the liniment, that is, suspended solids in a liquid, this form of the drug is intended for children up to three years of age. The suspension is used for limited lesions of the skin, as well as in combination with taking the medication inside.
Dosage of drug
At what dosage is Griseofulvin used? Application (reviews about this tool are mostly positive) and the amount of this medicine depends on the indications:
- With microsporia in adults, the medication is prescribed 8 tablets per day. For kids, such a medicine is calculated according to the following formula: 20-22 mg per kg of body weight per day. The drug should be taken daily until the first negative indicators of tests for mushrooms. After that, his intake is continued in the same dose for another four weeks (the first two weeks - every other day, and the rest - twice a week).
- With infiltrative suppurative and superficial forms of trichophytosis, as well as favus, adults are prescribed the same dose as presented above, and for children - 18 mg per kg of weight. It should be specially noted that the mentioned forms of the disease cause compaction of the skin, as well as the formation of ulcers on them.
- When treating people with fungal infections (that is, fungal diseases), they need to shave their hair every week and also wash it 2 times a week using laundry soap. With this diagnosis, antifungal ointments should be intensively rubbed into the skin and lubricate the lesions with 3% alcohol solution of iodine.
- With trichophytosis, onychomycosis and favus on the head, the daily dosage of the drug for adults weighing up to 50 kg should be 5 tablets, and with a larger value, add 1 tablet for every 10 kg. Take medication over 1 g per day is prohibited. For adolescents and children with onychomycosis, 16 mg of the drug is prescribed for each kg of weight per day. During the first month of therapy, tablets are used every day. In the second month - in a day, and then - 2 times a week. The duration of treatment should be at least 8 months.
It should also be noted that with onychomycosis, the therapy with the Griseofulvin preparation must be combined with the removal of nails with keratolytic agents (that is, causing their rejection and softening), as well as the additional use of antifungal medications.
As for the liniment, it is applied to the lesions with a thin layer. The daily dosage of this form of the drug should not be higher than 30 g. Therapy is continued for at least two weeks after the disappearance of all clinical signs and three negative results of the analysis (with a microscopic examination).
Special recommendations
What features of the drug should you know before using Griseofulvin? Reviews of experts say that the use of this medication requires monitoring the morphological composition of the blood once every two weeks.
With the development of allergies, the patient must be prescribed antiallergic treatment. If the severity of allergic reactions increases, then the medication is canceled for 4 days. After the disappearance of all undesirable symptoms, the drug is resumed (starting with ½ tablet per day, increasing the dose to therapeutic within three days).
If the medication was prescribed for children, then it is recommended to combine it with a multivitamin complex.
Analogues and cost of the drug
There are not so many analogues in this drug. If in your city you could not find a pill or Griseofulvin liniment, then this remedy can be replaced with a medication such as Fulcin. The active substance of this drug is also griseofulvin. Fulcin tablets are actively used for dermatomycosis (skin, nails and hair). However, their dosage and method of administration may differ from the above preparation. Therefore, to use the product as a substitute should only be done after consultation with a doctor.
How much does Griseofulvin cost? The price (reviews about the medicine will be described in the next section) is not very high. You can buy 20 tablets of an antifungal medication for 170-200 rubles.
The drug "Griseofulvin": patient reviews
Most patients respond to Griseofulvin rather well. They claim that this medication effectively treats fungal infections of the hair, nails and skin. The use of this medication, according to indications, contributes to the negative results of microscopic studies. Also, patients are very pleased with the low cost of this drug.
As for negative reviews, they are very rare among consumers. They are mainly associated with the appearance of side effects. Although experts argue that the correct use and dosage of the drug almost never cause unwanted reactions.