Two medicines, side by side
Griseofulvin vs ketoconazole
Griseofulvin and ketoconazole are both labeled for fungal infections. Pharmacies paid $3.74 per griseofulvin ultra 250 mg tablet and $0.249 per gram (Ketoconazole 2% cream) (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 ketoconazole an azole antifungal.
Check it at the source: the griseofulvin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 10, 2025); the ketoconazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 28, 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 ketoconazole record
Ketoconazole (Nizoral) · label of January 28, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsKetoconazole Cream 2% is indicated for the topical treatment of tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum; in the treatment of tinea (pityriasis) versicolor caused by Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare); in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis caused by Candida spp. and in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 12, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.249 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Griseofulvin label of December 10, 2025, Ketoconazole label of January 28, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do griseofulvin and ketoconazole differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, griseofulvin is a tubulin inhibiting agent and ketoconazole an azole antifungal.
Generics: griseofulvin none approved; ketoconazole since 1999 (Drugs@FDA).
| Griseofulvin | Ketoconazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Tubulin Inhibiting Agent | Azole Antifungal |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | June 12, 1981 |
| First generic approved | none | June 15, 1999 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 10 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $3.74 per tablet (Griseofulvin ultra 250 mg tablet) | $0.249 per gram (Ketoconazole 2% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 286 | 17,282 |
| 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