Famvir

Genital Herpes, Herpes Labialis, HIV Positive + 1 more

Treatment

4 Active Studies for Famvir

Treatment for

Genital Herpes

What is Famvir

Famciclovir

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Famciclovir, sold under the brand name Famvir, is a drug that works against herpes virus infections. It is usually prescribed for the treatment of shingles, and it is more easily absorbed by the body when taken orally than its active ingredient, penciclovir.

Famvir

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Famvir Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Famvir

Famciclovir

1994

Effectiveness

How Famvir Affects Patients

Famciclovir is a drug that turns into penciclovir inside the body, which helps fight the herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 and the varicella zoster virus. Penciclovir prevents the viruses from copying themselves, which helps stop the spread of the virus.

How Famvir works in the body

Famciclovir is a medication that is converted to penciclovir when it enters the body. Penciclovir is an antiviral compound that works against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, as well as varicella zoster virus. It does this by blocking the virus's ability to make its own DNA, which prevents it from replicating.

When to interrupt dosage

The advised measure of Famvir is contingent upon the determined illness, including Genital Herpes, Recurrent Herpes Labialis and HIV Positive. The quantity of dosage differs, as per the mode of delivery (e.g. Tablet or Oral) detailed 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 Famvir.

Common Famvir 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.

Famvir Toxicity & Overdose Risk

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

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

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

14 active clinical trials are in progress to assess the efficacy of Famvir in managing Recurrent Herpes Labialis, non-immunocompromised individuals 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

Famvir Reviews: What are patients saying about Famvir?

Patient Review

8/14/2019

Famvir for Prevent Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection

I use Famvir to Supress Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection and it does a really great job. I made a mistake when choosing my reason for taking this medication, but everything else I said still applies.

Patient Review

1/8/2014

Famvir for Cold Sore

This is my go-to for cold sores. If I take it at the first sign of a sore, it will completely prevent it from forming. Zovirax cream is also great, but this works better and faster in my opinion.

Patient Review

2/8/2013

Famvir for Cold Sore

This drug is very effective, working within an hour for me. I've noticed that if I wait too long to take it, the results are less noticeable. However, when taken at the first sign of a cold sore, this drug has prevented them from developing 99% of the time.

Patient Review

9/24/2012

Famvir for Genital Herpes

This medication is my go-to. It's always worked quickly and effectively for me, better than any other option I've tried.

Patient Review

12/10/2010

Famvir for Cold Sore

4.7

Patient Review

1/23/2011

Famvir for Genital Herpes

I've been dealing with this std since long before I even knew it existed, and unfortunately early treatments were mostly ineffective. Famvir has worked well for me when I catch the infection early enough; if not, it's just as if I hadn't taken the medication at all. On the whole, I'm pleased with it and haven't had any adverse effects.

4.7

Patient Review

7/10/2014

Famvir for Shingles

This medication arrived quickly and really helped to lessen my symptoms. I did have some issues with nausea if I didn't eat beforehand, but that was manageable. Overall, I would definitely recommend this treatment.

4.7

Patient Review

5/22/2012

Famvir for Recurrent Cold Sore

I've found that this treatment is most effective when taken as soon as I feel the tingle of a cold sore coming on. It really reduces the severity and duration of the sores. I always have some with me, just in case.

4.7

Patient Review

1/4/2016

Famvir for Shingles

I got this medication within the ideal window for treatment and it really worked wonders. The shingles on my left temple, eyelid, and cheek cleared up within a week and the pain and itching was gone. I did suffer from some side effects like a headache, nausea, and fatigue, but it was worth it to get rid of the shingles so quickly!

4.3

Patient Review

10/29/2015

Famvir for Shingles

On the first day of taking this medication, I had red bumps on my right shoulder blade and pain. By day three, the pain had lessened and the red bumps were already decreasing. I am currently on day four - still getting better but I have a constant headache and strong bouts of nausea from the meds.

4.3

Patient Review

1/25/2015

Famvir for Shingles

It was a very easy process once I received the medication from the pharmacy. However, I was 1.5 days behind on my treatment because it took them that long to get the medication in. The pain and growth had already started by then.

4.3

Patient Review

5/27/2016

Famvir for Shingles

I started this medication about three days after I first noticed a rash and swelling around my eye. While the first few days were tough - I had fatigue and a really bad sinus headache - by day four I was feeling much better. The rash hasn't spread and the swelling has gone down. There were some heart palpitations and moments of dizziness, but nothing that made me want to stop taking the drug. It seems to have stopped the virus from spreading, which is great.

Patient Review

2/10/2016

Famvir for Shingles

I began taking this medication within one day of my diagnosis and it has helped immensely with the pain in my left shoulder blade, rib area, and breast. I was expecting to be tired from the meds, but I'm still able to work 40 hours a week. After four days of treatment, I feel much better but am still experiencing some fatigue, nausea, and headaches. Overall, I'm pleased with how this medication has worked for me.

3.7

Patient Review

10/11/2011

Famvir for Shingles

I went to the doctor when my shingles infection was only five days old. It looked a lot like poison ivy. She prescribed Famvir, but within three days of taking the medication, the shingles had spread significantly. I'm almost done with the round of medication, but I'm worried I may need another one. The side effects haven't been great either; I've lost my appetite, experienced heart palpitations, and feel constantly tired. It's hard to tell if it's the drug or the virus causing these problems.

3.7

Patient Review

11/2/2011

Famvir for Shingles

Is it normal to experience a rash after finishing this medication?

2.7

Patient Review

4/5/2013

Famvir for Shingles

The side effects of this medication are incredibly debilitating, to the point where I had to stop taking it. I would rather deal with the discomfort of shingles than continue feeling nauseous and having headaches.

2.3

Patient Review

1/11/2011

Famvir for Herpes Simplex Infection of Skin and Mucous Membranes

I've had HSV1 for over 30 years now, and this treatment did very little to stop new outbreaks from happening. I also got a headache from it, which was quite unpleasant.

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

Patient Q&A Section about famvir

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

Is Famvir an antibiotic?

"Famvir is an antiviral drug used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, which include genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chicken pox."

Answered by AI

Why is Famvir discontinued?

"Novartis is discontinuing Famvir (famciclovir) due to reasons unrelated to manufacturing, product quality, safety or efficacy. The company has notified the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the discontinuation."

Answered by AI

What is the difference between Valtrex and Famvir?

"Famvir and Valtrex are both first-choice medications for controlling the symptoms of viral infections such as herpes, chickenpox, and shingles."

Answered by AI

What is Famvir used for?

"Famciclovir is used to treat the symptoms of herpes zoster (also known as shingles), a herpes virus infection of the skin. It is also used to treat and suppress herpes labialis (cold sores) and recurrent episodes of genital herpes."

Answered by AI