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griseofulvin (Grisol)

✓ Approved

Transdermal · Small Molecule · Small Molecule

What is griseofulvin?

griseofulvin is a small molecule developed by Transdermal. It is approved for therapeutic indications via topical.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesGrisol
CompanyTransdermal
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
RouteTopical
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Transdermal

Therapeutic Indications

griseofulvin is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
InvestigationsDermatologic examination✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedMedical mycology2026-08-29

Microsporum canis Complex Infections in the United Arab Emirates: Clinical, Molecular, and Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles.

Anes Febin F, Ghazawi Akela A, Vanam Hari Pankaj HP, Aljneibi Dana D et al.

Microsporum canis complex infections remain a major cause of pediatric dermatophytosis, yet molecular epidemiologic and antifungal susceptibility data from the Arabian Gulf are scarce, with no contemporary regional assessment since 1981-1988. We characterized the clinical, molecular, and antifungal susceptibility profiles of M. canis complex isolates in Abu Dhabi and assessed concordance between phenotypic and ITS-based identification. Fifty-two clinical dermatophyte isolates collected through passive surveillance at the UAEU Fungal Reference Laboratory (September 2024-December 2025) underwent phenotypic identification, ITS sequencing, and antifungal susceptibility testing (CLSI M38). Clinical data were available for 48 patients. ITS sequencing identified 47 isolates (90.4%) as M. canis and 5 (9.6%) as the M. audouinii clade, with phenotypic discordance in 9.6% of isolates (including one M. canis misidentified as Trichophyton rubrum). The cohort was predominantly pediatric (79.2% ≤12 years; 54.2% female). Tinea capitis predominated (60.4%), followed by tinea corporis (20.8%) and multifocal disease (16.7%). Cat exposure was reported in 50% and infected household contact in 27.1%. All isolates showed low MICs (terbinafine MIC₅₀/₉₀ 0.015/0.03; itraconazole ≤0.03/0.06; voriconazole ≤0.03/≤0.03; griseofulvin 0.125/0.25; fluconazole 4/8 µg/mL). Despite this, 81.2% (26/32) of patients with follow-up experienced treatment failure or recurrence, with no clear MIC-outcome association. This first molecular and antifungal characterization of M. canis complex infections in the UAE over three decades showed that ITS sequencing corrected phenotypic identification in nearly 10% of cases. High recurrence despite low MICs suggests limited predictive value of in vitro susceptibility, supporting species directed management, molecular confirmation, species-directed management, and One Health strategies.

PMID 42667404
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PubMedIndian dermatology online journal2026-08-26

Comparative Efficacy of Terbinafine, Itraconazole, and Griseofulvin in Treatment of Steroid-Modified Tinea.

Sneha K K, Jain Seema S, Pandhi Deepika D, Das Shukla S et al.

Steroid-modified tinea or tinea incognito has emerged as a significant challenge in India due to the widespread misuse of topical corticosteroids, leading to chronic, treatment-resistant dermatophytosis. This study was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of antifungal drugs: oral terbinafine, itraconazole, and griseofulvin in the treatment of steroid-modified tinea. In addition, patient awareness about steroid misuse and consequent impact on quality of life were also assessed. A total of 90 potassium hydroxide (KOH)-positive patients ( ≥18 years) with tinea corporis, cruris, or faciei, having a history of prior topical steroid use, were randomly assigned to receive terbinafine (250 mg twice a day), itraconazole (100 mg twice a day), or griseofulvin (500 mg twice a day) for eight weeks ( n = 30 each). Clinical severity scores, cure rates, dermatology life quality index (DLQI) scores, steroid misuse patterns, and any adverse drug reactions reported were recorded for each patient. The group treated with itraconazole showed highest cure rate (70%) at eight weeks, followed by terbinafine (36.7%) and griseofulvin (26.7%) ( P = 0.529). Clinical severity scores reduced significantly in all three groups by the end of eight weeks (within-group comparison P = 0.001). DLQI scores improved most with itraconazole ( P = 0.003). Regarding a prior history of steroid use in the study population, the misuse of clobetasol propionate was seen in 46.7-76.7%, with 90-100% of patients being unaware of steroid content or its side effects. Limited sample size may have limited statistical ability to detect significant cure rates. Despite intention-to-treat analysis, loss of follow-up may introduce bias. Baseline differences in gender and comorbidities among the study groups may have confounded the observed outcomes. Additionally, the lack of blinding may have influenced outcome assessment. Itraconazole appears to be the most effective for steroid-modified tinea, with superior clinical and quality-of-life outcomes. Steroid misuse, driven by pharmacist recommendations, underscores the need for public health interventions.

PMID 42646662
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PubMedJournal of clinical microbiology2026-08-21

In vitro susceptibility and provisional epidemiological cutoff values for eight antifungal agents against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton interdigitale: a multicenter study from China.

Zheng Hailin H, Xie Wenting W, Song Yinggai Y, Cao Cunwei C et al.

Dermatophytosis is a highly prevalent superficial fungal infection, yet antifungal susceptibility testing results remain difficult to interpret because clinical breakpoints are unavailable, and epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) are still limited for most dermatophyte-drug combinations. We conducted a multicenter study of 305 Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton interdigitale isolates collected between 2019 and 2024 at six tertiary hospitals across geographically diverse regions of China. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the CLSI M38 broth microdilution method under standardized quality control, and provisional ECVs were derived following CLSI M57 guidance. For T. mentagrophytes, fluconazole showed a non-unimodal MIC distribution and was not assigned a provisional ECV. The remaining seven agents yielded ECVs of 1 µg/mL for ciclopirox olamine and griseofulvin, 0.5 µg/mL for itraconazole, 0.06 µg/mL for voriconazole, 0.25 µg/mL for posaconazole and amorolfine, and 0.016 µg/mL for terbinafine. For T. interdigitale, fluconazole showed a complex non-unimodal distribution, whereas itraconazole and posaconazole showed unstable low-MIC shoulders precluding ECV estimation. The remaining five agents yielded ECVs of 1 µg/mL for ciclopirox olamine, 0.25 µg/mL for griseofulvin, 0.12 µg/mL for voriconazole and amorolfine, and 0.016 µg/mL for terbinafine. Isolates above the provisional ECVs were uncommon for most combinations (≤2.5%), except for griseofulvin against T. interdigitale (20.5%). Overall, the two species showed distinct MIC distribution profiles, underscoring the value of species-level analysis and continued surveillance. These multicenter CLSI-based data and provisional ECVs provide a contemporary baseline for species-specific interpretation of dermatophyte susceptibility data in China. Reliable interpretation of dermatophyte antifungal susceptibility testing remains limited because clinical breakpoints and epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) are unavailable for most dermatophyte-drug combinations. This is particularly important for the Trichophyton mentagrophytes/Trichophyton interdigitale species complex, which is increasingly implicated in refractory dermatophytosis and may display species-specific susceptibility patterns. In this multicenter study, we established provisional epidemiological cutoff values for most tested species-agent combinations and showed that these two closely related species differ in MIC distribution profiles and in the detection of non-wild-type isolates. These data provide practical laboratory thresholds for recognizing isolates with reduced susceptibility, highlight the limitations of complex-level interpretation, establish a contemporary baseline for dermatophyte susceptibility surveillance in China, and may help support laboratory-informed antifungal decision-making.

PMID 42626940
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PubMedJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology2026-08-02

Treatment of tinea capitis in China: A multicenter prospective real-world study.

Chen Xiao-Qing XQ, Tong Zhong-Sheng ZS, Ma Lin L, Jin Yun Y et al.

Tinea capitis is still common in China. The gold standard for treatment is oral antifungal drugs. This study aimed to clarify the current epidemiological characteristics and efficacy of different treatments of tinea capitis in China. A multicenter, prospective real-world study involving 20 tertiary hospitals in China was conducted. From August 2020 to December 2021, 819 patients with tinea capitis were enrolled. Data concerning demography, clinical types, fungal tests, treatments and outcomes were analyzed. The most common pathogen was Microsporum canis (69.8%). Itraconazole (45.4%) and terbinafine (33.4%) were commonly used, while griseofulvin (16.0%) and fluconazole (5.3%) were less frequently prescribed. Most patients (81.9%) were clinically cured with the initial systemic antifungal treatment schemes. In treating gray patch tinea capitis, the success rate of oral terbinafine (58.1%) was significantly lower than itraconazole (92.2%) and fluconazole (91.3%). Treatment success rate of terbinafine for M canis tinea capitis was 59.4%. All involved clinical centers are tertiary hospitals. Missing data may introduce bias. All 4 antifungal drugs have shown good efficacy and were well tolerated. More attention should be paid to the relatively low success rate of oral terbinafine in treating gray patch and M canis tinea capitis.

PMID 42542189
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PubMedThe Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology2026-07-22

Trichophyton indotineae in New York: A Case Series Highlighting Diagnostic Pitfalls and Therapeutic Considerations.

Han Haowei H, Foy Valerie V, Moloney Mairead M, Boccardi Aleia A et al.

To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment responses, and outcomes of patients with Trichophyton indotineae infection in New York state and to contribute to the collective knowledge necessary for appropriate antifungal stewardship and management strategies. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 20 patients with culture-confirmed T. indotineae infection seen across New York City between June 2023 and April 2025. Demographic data, clinical features, medical history, and treatment outcomes were collected. All patient data were deidentified, and informed consent was waived. Patients were evenly distributed by gender, with a mean age of 43.8 years for men and 33.4 years for women. All patients reported pruritus and, notably, 90% had intact immune function. Common presentations included tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Itraconazole was the most effective first-line therapy; however, there was a high rate of recurrence after stopping the treatment. Griseofulvin, voriconazole, and fluconazole showed some success. This study is limited by a small sample size and reliance on self-reported medical histories. Additionally, the study did not assess the impact of topical antifungal use or combination oral antifungal therapy on treatment efficacy. T. indotineae presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its atypical clinical features and antifungal resistance. Early recognition and appropriate systemic antifungal therapy are critical. Itraconazole remains the preferred first-line agent based on current clinical experience. Greater clinician awareness and further research are urgently needed to address the rising burden of this infection.

PMID 42482859
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PubMedJournal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG2026-07-14

Consensus-based Guideline on tinea capitis.

Mayser Peter P, Abeck Dietrich D, Bosshard Philipp P PP, Brasch Jochen J et al.

The consensus-based guideline developed under the auspices of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) is intended to provide physicians with a structured framework for clinical decision-making in the management of patients with tinea capitis and to contribute to improved diagnostic accuracy, treatment adherence, and prevention. Tinea capitis is a dermatophyte-induced infection of the scalp that predominantly affects children and represents a common dermatological condition worldwide. In recent years, a marked shift in the epidemiology of causative dermatophytes has been observed in Europe, driven by migration, tourism, and socioeconomic factors, with an increasing prevalence of anthropophilic species, particularly Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton violaceum. From a therapeutic perspective, a combination of systemic and topical antifungal treatment is recommended, as topical monotherapy is generally insufficient. In pediatric patients, the choice of systemic antifungal therapy is primarily guided by the identified pathogen, with Trichophyton infections preferably treated with terbinafine (off-label) and Microsporum/Nannizzia infections with itraconazole (off-label) or griseofulvin. In adult patients, terbinafine is recommended as first-line therapy irrespective of the causative species. In addition, the guideline addresses measures to interrupt chains of infection, including the treatment of asymptomatic carriers, implementation of hygiene measures, and management of outbreak situations in community settings.

PMID 42444404
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