Two medicines, side by side
Griseofulvin vs itraconazole
Griseofulvin and itraconazole are both labeled for fungal infections. Pharmacies paid $3.74 per griseofulvin ultra 250 mg tablet and $0.910 per itraconazole 100 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, griseofulvin is a tubulin inhibiting agent and itraconazole an azole antifungal.
Check it at the source: the griseofulvin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 10, 2025); the itraconazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 13, 2026).
Highlights of the griseofulvin record
Griseofulvin · label of December 10, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsUltramicrosize griseofulvin tablets are indicated for the treatment of the following ringworm infections; tinea corporis (ringworm of the body), tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), tinea cruris (ringworm of the groin and thigh), tinea barbae (barber’s itch), tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp), and tinea unguium (onychomycosis, ringworm of the nails), when caused by one or more of the following genera of fungi: […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $3.74 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the itraconazole record
Itraconazole (Sporanox) · label of July 13, 2026
Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiac Effects and Drug Interactions Congestive Heart Failure and Cardiac Effects SPORANOX ® (itraconazole) Capsules should not be administered for the treatment of onychomycosis in patients with evidence of ventricular dysfunction such as congestive heart failure (CHF) or a history of CHF. If signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure occur during administration of SPORANOX ® Capsules, discontinue administration.
Used for
From the label: indicationsSPORANOX ® (itraconazole) Capsules are indicated for the treatment of the following fungal infections in immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised patients: Blastomycosis, pulmonary and extrapulmonary Histoplasmosis, including chronic cavitary pulmonary disease and disseminated, non-meningeal histoplasmosis, and Aspergillosis, pulmonary and extrapulmonary, in patients who are intolerant of or who are refractory to amphotericin B therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 11, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 11 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.910 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Griseofulvin label of December 10, 2025, Itraconazole label of July 13, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do griseofulvin and itraconazole differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, griseofulvin is a tubulin inhibiting agent and itraconazole an azole antifungal.
Only the itraconazole label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: griseofulvin none approved; itraconazole since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Griseofulvin | Itraconazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Tubulin Inhibiting Agent | Azole Antifungal |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Mechanism of Action In vitro studies have demonstrated that itraconazole inhibits the cytochrome P450-dependent synthesis of ergosterol, which is a vital component of fungal cell membranes. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The terminal half-life of itraconazole generally ranges from 16 to 28 hours after single dose and increases to 34 to 42 hours with repeated dosing. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | September 11, 1992 |
| First generic approved | none | May 28, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 10 labelers | 11 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $3.74 per tablet (Griseofulvin ultra 250 mg tablet) | $0.910 per capsule (Itraconazole 100 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 286 | 11,610 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to griseofulvin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions