In case the body doesn't respond initially to the over the counter medicines or there are several ringworm lesions in the affected person?s body and if the lesions are widespread and severe, then oral antifungal medication is recommended for treatment. The oral medications are generally taken once a day for about seven days continuously and generally has a 100% clinical cure rate. In severe cases, oral medication may be prescribed for four to eight weeks or sometimes more, depending on the severity of the ringworm in the affected person.

The recommended oral medications for treating ringworm are Terbinafine (Lamisil) and Itraconazol (Sporanox). About 250 mg of Terbinafine should be used or about 200 mg of Itraconazol should be used to treat ringworm. Another oral medication which can be used is Fluconazole (Diflucan). There is another kind of oral medication known as Griseofulvin (Grisactin), which is prescribed less often since the arrival of the newer medicines. Though this medication is very effective in treating ringworm, they take a longer time to clear up the infection. The most common side effect caused by this, is headache. It can also cause discomfort in one?s digestive tract, rashes as well as leads to a drop in the white blood cell count. Griseofulvin is only used in cases where the patients are allergic or unresponsive to other kinds of oral medications.

There are certain side effects of using oral medication for the treatment of ringworm. These include rashes, gastrointestinal upsets and abnormal liver functioning, among others. Oral medication for ringworm can also be used for affected pets but can lead to serious birth defects in the case of pregnant pets. Treatment should be continued until the pet tests negative.