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Famvir

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Famvir

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Famvir Drug Center

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

Famvir (famciclovir) is an antiviral drug used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chicken pox. This medication is available in generic form. Common side effects include headache, nausea, and diarrhea.

Dosing for Famvir varies. The recommended doses are: recurrent genital herpes: 1,000 mg every 12 hours for one day; recurrent cold sores: 1,500 mg as a single dose; suppression of recurrent genital herpes: 250 mg twice daily; shingles: 500 mg every 8 hours for 7 days; and HIV-infected patients (cold sores or genital herpes): 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Before taking Famvir, tell your doctor if you are also taking probenecid (Benemid). If you are using probenecid, you may not be able to use Famvir, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. During pregnancy, Famvir should be used only when prescribed. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. It may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Our Famvir (famciclovir) Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases and conditions articles.

What is Prescribing information?

The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.

Famvir Prescribing Information: Indications & Dosage

FAMVIR (famciclovir) Structural Formula Illustration

Immunocompetent Adult Patients

Herpes labialis (cold sores): FAMVIR is indicated for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis.

Genital herpes

Recurrent episodes: FAMVIR is indicated for the treatment of recurrent episodes of genital herpes. The efficacy of FAMVIR when initiated more than 6 hours after onset of symptoms or lesions has not been established.

Suppressive therapy: FAMVIR is indicated for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent episodes of genital herpes. The efficacy and safety of FAMVIR for ...

Read the complete drug monograph for Famvir »

What is Patient information?

Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.

Famvir Patient Information: Side Effects

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

Less serious side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
  • diarrhea,
  • headache, tired feeling;
  • dizziness, sleepiness;
  • mild itching or skin rash;
  • numbness or tingly feeling; or
  • confusion.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You ...

Read the complete patient information for Famvir »

What is Consumer information?

A concise overview of the drug for the patient or caregiver from First DataBank.

Famvir Consumer Information: Uses

Famciclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats shingles caused by herpes zoster. It also treats outbreaks of herpes simplex that cause cold sores around the mouth, sores around the anus, and genital herpes. In people with frequent outbreaks of genital herpes, famciclovir is used to help reduce the number of future episodes.

Famciclovir is an antiviral drug. However, it is not a cure for these infections. The viruses that cause these infections continue to live in the body even between outbreaks. Famciclovir decreases the severity and length of these ou...

Read the complete consumer information for Famvir »

What is Famvir Consumer Information?

Warnings - Uses - How to Use - Side Effects - Precautions - Drug Interactions and More

Famvir - User Reviews

Famvir User Reviews

Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.

Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Famvir sorted by most helpful. Patient Discussions FAQs

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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