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Fungal skin infection - scalp - Management
How should I prescribe oral antifungal treatment?
This is a guide only. For further information on contraindications, cautions, drug interactions, and adverse effects, see the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) (http://emc.medicines.org.uk) or the British National Formulary (BNF) (www.bnf.org).
Terbinafine (not licensed for scalp ringworm)
- Treat for 4 weeks.
- For adults, the recommended dosage is 250 mg once per day.
Griseofulvin
- Treat for 8–10 weeks.
- For adults, prescribe 500 mg once a day or 250 mg twice a day.
- Women of childbearing age should be advised to avoid pregnancy during, and for 1 month after, treatment with griseofulvin. Men should ensure contraceptive precautions are taken during, and for the 6 months after, their own treatment due to potential adverse effects on the male reproductive system.
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