Famciclovir

Generic name: Famciclovir
Brand names: Famvir
Dosage form: oral tablet (125 mg; 250 mg; 500 mg)
Drug class: Purine nucleosides

Usage of Famciclovir

Famciclovir is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles.

Famciclovir is sometimes used in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who develop herpes outbreaks around the mouth, genitals, or anal area.

Famciclovir may not be effective in treating your first episode of genital herpes, but may help prevent future episodes. Famciclovir also may not be effective in Black or African-American people with genital herpes, and may not be effective in any person with shingles (herpes zoster) affecting the eyes.

There is no cure for herpes and famciclovir will not prevent you from developing symptoms in the future.

Famciclovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Famciclovir side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Famciclovir may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

confusion; or

kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects of famciclovir may include:

headache; or

nausea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Famciclovir

You should not use famciclovir if you are allergic to famciclovir or Penciclovir cream (Denavir).

Tell your doctor if you have ever HAD:

liver disease;

kidney disease;

a weak immune system;

galactose intolerance;

severe Lactase deficiency; or

Glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Herpes can be passed to your baby during childbirth if you have a genital lesion when your baby is born. If you have genital herpes, it is very important to prevent herpes lesions during pregnancy. Take your medicine as directed to best control your infection.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of famciclovir on the baby.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Famciclovir is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Famciclovir

Usual Adult Dose for Herpes Simplex -- MucocUTAneous/Immunocompetent Host:

Genital herpes:Initial episode: 250 mg orally 3 times a day for 7 to 10 days has been recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Recurrent episodes: 1000 mg orally twice a day for 1 day; alternatively, 125 mg orally twice a day for 5 days has been recommended by the CDCFamciclovir should be started at the first sign or symptom of a recurrent episode (such as tingling, burning, itching, pain, or lesion). The efficacy has not been established if started more than 6 hours after onset of symptoms or lesions.

Usual Adult Dose for Herpes Simplex -- Mucocutaneous/Immunocompromised Host:

Recurrent episodes of orolabial or genital herpes in HIV-infected patients: 500 mg orally twice a day for 7 days (5 to 10 days recommended by the CDC)Famciclovir should be started at the first sign or symptom of a recurrent episode (such as tingling, burning, itching, pain, or lesion). The efficacy has not been established if started more than 48 hours after onset of symptoms or lesions.

Usual Adult Dose for Herpes Simplex -- Suppression:

Chronic suppression of recurrent genital herpes:Immunocompetent patients: 250 mg orally twice a dayHIV-infected patients: 500 mg orally twice a day has been recommended by the CDCTherapy should be continued as clinically appropriate, although the safety and efficacy of famciclovir therapy beyond 1 year have not been established.

Usual Adult Dose for Herpes Zoster:

500 mg orally every 8 hours for 7 daysFamciclovir is most effective if started within 48 hours of onset of rash. The efficacy has not been established if started more than 72 hours after onset of rash.

Usual Adult Dose for Herpes Simplex Labialis:

Recurrent herpes labialis: 1500 mg orally as a single doseFamciclovir is most effective if started at the earliest sign or symptom of a cold sore (such as tingling, burning, itching, pain, or lesion).

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Famciclovir

Other drugs may affect famciclovir, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.