Griseofulvin is an antifungal medication that requires careful attention to administration, particularly the need for high-fat foods to ensure proper absorption. Understanding these unique requirements helps ensure your child gets the full benefit of this important treatment for fungal infections.
Children 2 years and older
125 mg/5 mL
Orange-vanilla - Fair to good - some children find it slightly bitter palatability
Children who can swallow tablets (usually 6+ years)
250 mg, 500 mg tablets
No taste if swallowed whole - Bitter if crushed - avoid if possible palatability
Children who can swallow tablets
125 mg, 250 mg, 330 mg tablets
No taste if swallowed whole - Do not crush - affects absorption palatability
Prepare a high-fat food item before giving medication. Options include: whole milk (8 oz), peanut butter (2 tablespoons), ice cream (1/2 cup), cheese (1-2 oz), or incorporate into a fatty meal.
Safety Note: Without fat, absorption can be less than 40% of the dose
For suspension: Shake bottle vigorously for 10 seconds. For tablets: Have water ready. Check expiration date.
Safety Note: Suspension can settle - inadequate shaking leads to incorrect dosing
Use the measuring device provided with suspension or count correct number of tablets. Double-check dose against prescription.
Safety Note: Underdosing is a common cause of treatment failure
Administer during or immediately after eating fatty food. Can mix suspension with peanut butter or ice cream if needed.
Safety Note: Taking on empty stomach severely reduces effectiveness
Watch child swallow entire dose. Follow with more fatty food if desired. Mark calendar or chart.
Safety Note: Missed doses can lead to treatment failure
Mark medication calendar, set reminder for next dose. Note any issues with administration.
Safety Note: Long treatment duration makes tracking essential
Method: Oral suspension mixed with fatty foods
Positioning: Upright in highchair or parent's lap
Method: Suspension or crushed tablets in fatty food
Positioning: Sitting at table for meal
Method: Tablets or suspension with meal
Positioning: Sitting at table
Method: Tablets with fatty meal or snack
Positioning: Independent administration with supervision
Consider calling your pediatrician if this issue persists
Temperature: Room temperature (68-77°F/20-25°C)
Stability: Not specified
Risk: Poor absorption leading to treatment failure
Prevention: Always pair with high-fat meal or snack, set reminders
Risk: Infection recurrence requiring restart of full treatment
Prevention: Explain full course needed for new healthy tissue growth
Risk: Subtherapeutic levels allowing fungal regrowth
Prevention: Set same time daily, use alarms, link to routine
The 'fatty food rule' is absolute - without fat, bioavailability drops to 30-40% making treatment likely to fail
Ultramicrosize formulation has 1.5x better absorption than microsize, allowing lower doses with fewer GI side effects
Treatment duration for tinea capitis has increased from 6 to 8+ weeks due to rising treatment failures with shorter courses
Concurrent selenium sulfide or ketoconazole shampoo twice weekly reduces transmission and may improve cure rates
Successfully treating your child's fungal infection with griseofulvin requires patience and attention to the fatty food requirement. By making medication time part of a pleasant mealtime routine and understanding that you're waiting for healthy new tissue to grow, you're setting your child up for complete healing. Remember, the full treatment course is necessary even when things look better!