| Famvir (U.S.N.L.M.) | |
|---|---|
| Dosing/ Herpes Zoster | Promptly dose 500mg po tid for 7 days |
| Dosing/ Herpes Simplex | Promptly dose 250mg po tid for 7 days |
| Chem Specs | famciclovir |
| Quantities | 125, 250, 500mg tablets |
| Cost | 34.00/21tab/500mg (generic) |
| Class | guanine analogue antiviral |
| Action | Famciclovir is a prodrug of penciclovir which is absorbed poorly when given orally. Activated form inhibits viral DNA polymerase, impairing virus replication within the cell. Famciclovir is a prodrug of penciclovir which is absorbed poorly when given orally. Activated form inhibits viral DNA polymerase, impairing virus replication within the cell. |
| Activity | Penciclovir is active against herpes viruses (In decreasing order of potency): HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV. Penciclovir is active against herpes viruses (In decreasing order of potency): HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV. |
| Usage | Indicated for acute herpes zoster and herpes simplex infections. |
| Use oral treatment when topical toxicity is encountered. Initiate treatment within 6 hrs of symptom onset if possible. |
|
| Contraindications | Hypersensitivity to the product's components, and Denavir (penciclovir cream). |
| Pediatric use | Safety and efficacy have not been established. |
| Pregnancy | Category B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate risk and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Category B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate risk and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. |
| Steroids are indicated with stromal involvement, maintaining antiviral coverage if the epithelium is compromised. |
|
| (Two thirds of early Acanthamoeba keratitis are misdiagnosed as HSV.) |