In those rare cases where individuals are affected by drowsiness while taking griseofulvin, they should not drive vehicles or operate machinery. Long-term administration of high doses of griseofulvin with food has been reported to induce hepatomas in mice and thyroid tumors in rats but not hamsters. The clinical significance of these findings is not known. In view of these data, griseofulvin tablets should not be used prophylactically. In the absence of the relevant in vivo data, it is prudent to warn men that they should not father children within 6 months of treatment.
Severe reactions occur infrequently.
Headache may occur, but usually disappears when the drug is taken with meals. Nausea, epigastric distress, heartburn, abdominal cramps, vomiting or diarrhea have been reported in a few patients. Chest pain, dryness of the mouth, breathlessness, arthralgia, neuritic pains, vertigo, and fever have also been reported. Allergic reactions, occurring rarely, include urticaria and angioneurotic edema, skin rashes, serum sickness, lupus erythematosus. Fatigue, lethargy, vertigo, decreased mental acuity, dizziness, confusion, peripheral neuropathy and secondary monilial skin infections have been reported as well as a few cases of photosensitivity.