Griseofulvin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 21, 2024.

Applies to griseofulvin: oral suspension, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of griseofulvin

Along with its needed effects, griseofulvin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking griseofulvin:

More common side effects

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• fever
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• red, irritated eyes
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• confusion
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• skin rash, hives, or itching
• soreness or irritation of the mouth or tongue

Rare side effects

• black, tarry stools
• chest pain
• cloudy urine
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• painful or difficult urination
• shortness of breath
• swollen glands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• abdominal or stomach pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• clay-colored stools
• dark urine
• dizziness
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• unpleasant breath odor
• vomiting of blood

Other side effects of griseofulvin

Some side effects of griseofulvin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• hives or welts
• redness of the skin

Less common side effects

• trouble with sleeping

Incidence not known

• heartburn
• pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
• sleeplessness
• unable to sleep
• white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
• white patches with diaper rash

For healthcare professionals

Applies to griseofulvin: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral suspension, oral tablet.

Nervous system adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 15%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Impaired coordination, peripheral neuropathy, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, taste sensation changes
• Frequency not reported: Peripheral neuritis, lethargy, mental confusion, impairment of performance of routine activities/efforts, vertigo, neuropathy, paresthesia of the hands and feet^[Ref]

Headache was sometimes severe and usually disappeared during continued therapy.

Neuropathy and paresthesia have been reported in a few cases of long-term therapy with this drug. In 1 woman, paresthesia reportedly developed in the fingers and feet after 6 months of therapy. Neuropathy progressed for 4 months after the drug was discontinued but resolved 8 months after therapy was discontinued.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gastric discomfort
• Frequency not reported: Heartburn, flatulence, gastrointestinal bleeding, epigastric distress, oral thrush, increased fecal protoporphyrins^[Ref]

A moderate but inconsistent increase of fecal protoporphyrins has been observed when this drug was used for a prolonged duration.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, photosensitivity (on exposure to intense natural/artificial sunlight)
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bullous reactions (including Lyell's syndrome), urticarial reactions, skin rashes, severe angioedema
• Frequency not reported: Cold and warm urticaria, erythema eruptions, vesicular eruptions, morbilliform eruptions, fixed-drug eruptions, lesions (on sun-exposed areas), bullous eruption
• Postmarketing reports: Severe skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis), erythema multiforme^[Ref]

At least 1 reported case of toxic epidermal necrolysis resulted in death.

Fixed-drug eruptions have been verified by rechallenge.

A patient with Hailey-Hailey disease (chronic benign familial pemphigus) experienced a widespread bullous eruption due to this drug.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Insomnia, irritability^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia
• Frequency not reported: Thirst, exacerbation of porphyria^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Serum sickness syndromes
• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., skin rashes, urticaria, erythema multiforme/erythema multiforme-like drug reactions, angioneurotic edema)^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hepatotoxicity
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Altered/elevated liver function tests, intrahepatic cholestasis, hepatitis
• Frequency not reported: Elevated liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia
• Postmarketing reports: Jaundice, elevated AST, elevated ALT, elevated bilirubin^[Ref]

Liver function tests were elevated to greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia
• Frequency not reported: Coagulopathy^[Ref]

Leukopenia, neutropenia, and anemia generally resolved when therapy was stopped.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Precipitation of systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus-like syndromes, exacerbation of existing lupus
• Frequency not reported: Drug-induced myositis^[Ref]

At least 1 fatal case of systemic lupus erythematosus exacerbation occurred after ingestion of about 1 g of this drug.^[Ref]

Renal

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Nephrosis
• Frequency not reported: Interstitial nephritis^[Ref]

A patient developed interstitial nephritis after 1 year of therapy. The patient presented with renal insufficiency, hematuria, pyuria, eosinophiluria, and anemia. Renal function returned to normal after 1 year.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Proteinuria, menstrual irregularities
• Frequency not reported: Albuminuria (without evidence of renal dysfunction)^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Fatigue, fever, disulfiram-like reaction^[Ref]

A disulfiram-like reaction (including flushing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, paresthesia of the extremities) occurred in 1 patient who ingested this drug with alcohol.^[Ref]

Further information

Griseofulvin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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