Famciclovir

Genital Herpes, Herpes Labialis, HIV Positive + 1 more

Treatment

4 Active Studies for Famciclovir

Treatment for

Genital Herpes

What is Famciclovir

Famciclovir

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Famciclovir, also known by the brand name Famvir, is a special type of medicine used to treat infections caused by the herpes virus. It is most often used to treat shingles, an infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Famciclovir is a form of penciclovir that is more easily absorbed by the body when taken orally.

Famvir

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Famciclovir Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Famvir

Famciclovir

1994

Effectiveness

How Famciclovir Affects Patients

Famciclovir is a medicine that is changed in the body to penciclovir, an antiviral drug. Penciclovir can stop the growth of three different types of viruses: herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, and varicella zoster virus. This stops the virus from making copies of itself, helping to reduce the amount of virus in the body.

How Famciclovir works in the body

Famciclovir is changed in the body to an active form called penciclovir, which stops the spread of HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV. Penciclovir is changed to a monophosphate form by viral thymidine kinase, and then to a triphosphate form by cellular kinases. Penciclovir triphosphate blocks HSV-2 DNA polymerase from making more HSV-2 DNA, and thus stops the virus from replicating.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Famciclovir is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, including Genital Herpes, Recurrent Herpes Labialis and HIV Positive. The amount of dosage fluctuates, based on the delivery approach (e.g. Tablet or Oral) specified in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Shingles

125.0 mg, , 250.0 mg, 500.0 mg

Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral

HIV Positive

125.0 mg, , 250.0 mg, 500.0 mg

Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral

Genital Herpes

125.0 mg, , 250.0 mg, 500.0 mg

Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral

Herpes Labialis

125.0 mg, , 250.0 mg, 500.0 mg

Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral

Warnings

There are 12 known major drug interactions with Famciclovir.

Common Famciclovir Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live

Moderate

The therapeutic efficacy of Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live can be decreased when used in combination with Famciclovir.

Anthrax vaccine

Moderate

The therapeutic efficacy of Anthrax vaccine can be decreased when used in combination with Famciclovir.

BCG vaccine

Moderate

The therapeutic efficacy of BCG vaccine can be decreased when used in combination with Famciclovir.

Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain connaught live antigen

Moderate

The therapeutic efficacy of Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain connaught live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Famciclovir.

Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen

Moderate

The therapeutic efficacy of Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Famciclovir.

Famciclovir Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Overdosing on Aspirin can cause constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, tiredness, fever, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Famciclovir Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Famciclovir?

14 active studies are currently being conducted to assess the efficacy of Famciclovir in combating Recurrent Herpes Labialis, non-immunocompromised Patients and Shingles.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Herpes Labialis

0 Actively Recruiting

Genital Herpes

0 Actively Recruiting

Shingles

4 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Phase 1

HIV Positive

0 Actively Recruiting

Famciclovir Reviews: What are patients saying about Famciclovir?

Patient Review

11/12/2015

Famciclovir for Shingles

I was a little nervous to take this drug after reading some of the reviews, but I'm glad I did. Within just two days of taking it, my shingles pain had subsided significantly and it was completely gone within six days. I'm lucky that my infection wasn't too severe to begin with.

Patient Review

9/10/2016

Famciclovir for Genital Herpes

I've been outbreak free for five years now, thanks to this medication.

Patient Review

9/14/2019

Famciclovir for Shingles

I was given this drug very soon after I developed symptoms, which my doctor said was strange because it only occurred on one foot. It stopped the outbreak within two days and had few side effects, which was great.

4.7

Patient Review

8/3/2017

Famciclovir for Shingles

I've had cold sores and shingles on and off for the past decade. I recently learned that if I get a cold sore, there's a high chance that my back nerves will flare up and cause me a lot of pain. So, now whenever I feel that telltale tingle in my mouth, I take this medication and it has prevented any further issues 100% of the time.

4.7

Patient Review

11/5/2021

Famciclovir for Recurrent Cold Sore

I feel for everyone who suffers from this condition. I've had outbreaks on my lips since I was a kid, and I know how painful and inconvenient they can be. This medication is key to keeping them at bay, but you have to catch it early. If you don't, you're in for a week or two of misery.

Patient Review

11/11/2015

Famciclovir for Shingles

This medicine provides relief from the itching, stinging and pain. It also stopped the blister from appearing. I didn't like the side effects of sleepyness and fatigue. It also caused some stomach issues and pain urinating....I am not sure if I would take this again or not

Patient Review

3/9/2020

Famciclovir for Cold Sore

I often don't realize I have a cold sore until after 1 or 2 small bumps appear on my lip.I take the 3 blister sealed pills and then 3 more pills 12 hrs later. After 2-3 hours of first dose I feel dizzy a bit and have rapid heart rate. I am ok with this side effect if it halts the cold sore from developing. I find it dries it up within 3-4 days usually.

Patient Review

2/24/2014

Famciclovir for Genital Herpes

I've been taking Famvir for thirteen years now, ever since my specialist recommended it following the removal of my labia majora.

Patient Review

1/20/2016

Famciclovir for Shingles

The effects of this treatment were very helpful in managing my shingles, though the side effects were incredibly unpleasant.

3.3

Patient Review

1/9/2015

Famciclovir for Recurrent Genital Herpes

I found that I could avoid getting headaches if I took this medicine with food.

Patient Review

12/7/2013

Famciclovir for Shingles

I started taking this medication a mere six hours after the rash first appeared. Three days later, the rash is visibly drying up--though it never did blister. However, my stomach has been in terrible shape ever since I started taking the pills; it hurts terribly whenever I move around. I've stopped taking the medication for now, but if there's no improvement soon, I'll have to consult my doctor about other options.

2.3

Patient Review

8/6/2013

Famciclovir for Prevent Shingles in Patients Without a Normal Immune System

Unfortunately, this medication made my heart rate skyrocket and I felt weak and breathless. I was only taking it for shingles.

2.3

Patient Review

3/20/2016

Famciclovir for Shingles

The acid reflux was so bad that I had to stop taking this medication. Will call the doctor to continue with another treatment to finish.

Patient Review

11/27/2013

Famciclovir for Shingles

I experienced severe cramping and diarrhea after the eighth dose of this drug, which led to expulsion of blood. Gastric bleeding? I took it as directed, with food, on a scheduled basis. I will never take this again.

Patient Review

9/8/2014

Famciclovir for Suppression of Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection in HIV

I'm still waiting for this to work.

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about famciclovir

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How long does famciclovir take to work?

"The recommended dosage of Famvir is 250 mg three times daily for seven days. Treatment should be started as soon as possible after herpes zoster is diagnosed. Studies have shown Famvir to have the greatest benefit if it is started within 48 hours of the onset of rash."

Answered by AI

How effective is famciclovir for shingles?

"The text is saying that famciclovir 500 mg is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for acute herpes zoster, and is the only oral antiviral agent proven to reduce the duration of PHN when administered during acute zoster infection."

Answered by AI

What is the difference between acyclovir and famciclovir?

"Famvir can be used to treat the same viruses as acyclovir, but it lasts longer so it can be taken less often. Famvir does not cure herpes infections or prevent them from spreading. Famvir relieves pain, burning, itching, and tingling, and also heals and prevents sores associated with herpes infections."

Answered by AI

Is famciclovir an antibiotic?

"It may also help the sores heal faster.

Famciclovir is an antiviral drug that is not a cure for virus infections. The viruses that cause these infections continue to live in the body even between outbreaks, but famciclovir can help to decrease the severity and length of these outbreaks. It may also help the sores heal faster."

Answered by AI