Griseofulvin belongs to which classification of medications?

Griseofulvin is classified as an antifungal medication. It is primarily used to treat fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails. The mechanism of action for griseofulvin involves interfering with the fungal cell division by disrupting the mitotic spindle, which prevents the fungi from reproducing and spreading. This makes it effective against dermatophyte infections, which are common causes of skin and nail fungal infections.

Understanding the classification of medications is crucial for appropriate treatment selection. In this case, identifying griseofulvin as an antifungal allows healthcare providers to effectively target and manage fungal infections, distinguishing it from other classes like antivirals, which treat viral infections, or antimicrobials, which are more general and encompass antibiotics as well as antifungals. Meanwhile, antiseptics are used for topical use to reduce the possibility of infection in wounds but do not treat established fungal infections.