Fulvicin

A griseofulvin tablet for stubborn fungal infections

Fulvicin is griseofulvin 250mg in tablet form, sold in packs from 30 up to 360. It is taken by mouth when a fungus has got into skin, hair or nails: ringworm on the trunk and limbs, jock itch, athlete's foot, scalp infections, and infected fingernails or toenails. A cream sits on the surface and is often enough on its own. Where the fungus has worked into a hair root or beneath a nail plate, only a medicine carried through the blood reaches it.

How griseofulvin works

Swallowed griseofulvin is absorbed from the gut and taken up by the cells that produce keratin, the protein that skin, hair and nails are made of. A fungus feeds on keratin, so it settles into tissue as that tissue forms — and the drug is already present there, stopping it from dividing. New growth comes through uninfected. What is left is the old infected material, shed or trimmed away as the body renews itself. The timetable is set by how quickly the affected part grows, not by the dose.

Taking Fulvicin

Most courses are one dose a day, though a daily amount can be split into two to four smaller doses. Swallow it with a meal, ideally one that contains some fat, which helps the body take up more of the drug. Redness and itching often calm down after a few days, while the fungus is still active, so the tablets are continued for the full period. Skin infections generally need two to four weeks. Scalp and hair take four to six weeks, and foot infections four to eight. Fingernails run three to four months; a toenail can need half a year or longer to grow out clear. Keep the pack closed and somewhere dry.

What to watch for

Headaches, an upset stomach, loose stools and nausea come up most often, along with thirst, tiredness and dizziness; they usually settle as the body adjusts. Skin burns more readily in strong sun while you are on griseofulvin, so a hat and sunscreen are worth having outdoors. Fever with a sore throat, a spreading rash, or ulcers in the mouth needs prompt treatment, and yellowing of the skin or eyes points to a rare liver reaction. Griseofulvin also makes hormonal contraceptives less reliable. Alcohol is best left alone for the duration.

Fulvicin and Grifulvin V

Grifulvin V is the other griseofulvin 250mg tablet sold here. The ingredient, strength and form match; what differs is the brand name on the pack. For the ingredient itself and everything built around it, see griseofulvin.