Famvir

Famvir is a prescription medication used to treat outbreaks of cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults. It is also used to decrease the number of outbreaks of genital herpes and herpes simplex. 

Famvir is a prescription medication used to treat outbreaks of cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults. It is also used to decrease the number of outbreaks of genital herpes and herpes simplex. 

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• your kidney function

Herpes Labialis (Cold Sores):

The recommended dosage of Famvir for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis is 1500 mg as a single dose. Therapy should be initiated at the first sign or symptom of herpes labialis (e.g., tingling, itching, burning, pain, or lesion).

Genital Herpes:

• Recurrent Episodes - The recommended dosage of Famvir is 1000 mg twice daily for 1 day. Therapy should be initiated at the first sign or symptom of a recurrent episode (e.g., tingling, itching, burning, pain, or lesion).
• Suppressive Therapy - The recommended dosage of Famvir is 250 mg twice daily.

HIV-Infected Adult Patients- Recurrent Orolabial or Genital Herpes:

The recommended dosage of Famvir is 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Therapy should be initiated at the first sign or symptom of a recurrent episode (e.g., tingling, itching, burning, pain, or lesion).

Serious side effects have been reported with Famvir including the following:

• Acute Renal Failure. Cases of acute renal failure have been reported in patients with underlying renal disease who have received inappropriately high doses of Famvir. Tell your healthcare provider right away right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
  • swelling of face, ankles, hands, or feet
  • fatigue
  • paleness of skin
  • decreased urination
  • shortness of breath
  • change in blood pressures

Do not take Famvir if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or to Denavir (penciclovir cream).

The most common side effects of Famvir include:

• headache
• nausea

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. 

These are not all the possible side effects of Famvir. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• any other medicines and products you use to treat herpes outbreaks
• probenecid (Probalan)

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist every time you get a new medicine.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Famvir will harm your unborn baby.

• Pregnancy Exposure Reporting: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation collects pregnancy reports which are reported on a voluntary basis. In case of pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider about reporting your pregnancy. 

Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Famvir is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

It is important for you to finish all of the medicine as prescribed, even if you begin to feel better 

Your symptoms may continue even after you finish all of your famciclovir. This does not mean that you need more medicine, since you have already finished a full course of famciclovir and it will continue to work in your body. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about your condition and your treatment.

Famciclovir is not a cure for herpes. If you are sexually active, you can pass herpes to your partner even if you are taking famciclovir tablets. Herpes can be transmitted even if you do not have active symptoms.

• You should continue to practice safer sex to lower the chances of spreading genital herpes to others.
• Do not have sexual contact with your partner during an outbreak of genital herpes or if you have any symptoms of genital herpes.
• Use a condom made of latex or polyurethane when you have a sexual contact.