Drug Uses

Famvir is an oral antiviral medicine used for treatment of treatment of recurrent genital herpes in otherwise healthy patients, treatment of recurrent herpes simplex virus infections (genital herpes and cold sores) in HIV-infected patients and herpes zoster (shingles), suppression of recurrent genital herpes in otherwise healthy patients.

How Taken

Famvir may be used for the following treatments:
-Episodic treatment: For an outbreak of genital herpes. The dosage is one pill of 125 mg two times a day, for a period of 5 days.
-Suppressive treatment: For frequent severe outbreaks. The dosage is one pill of 250 mg two times a day, for up to 1 year.
-Patients with HIV: The dosage for treatment of herpes simplex is a pill of 500 mg two times a day, for a period of 7 days.
Famvir may be taken with or without food.

Warnings/Precautions

Inform your doctor before taking Famvir if you are allergic to penciclovir. Also, inform your doctor in case you have kidney disease. Your dose may have to be adjusted, or you may have to be monitored regularly during the treatment. Famvir falls into the FDA pregnancy category B and should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit for the patient is bigger than the risk for the fetus.

Missed Dose

In case you miss a dose, take the drug as soon as you remember. If it is already time for your next dose, skip the missed one and take the scheduled one. Do no take a double dose.

Possible Side Effects

Contact your doctor immediately and stop taking Famvir if you develop any of these side effects: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives). If you have any of the following less serious side effects, continue using Famvir but inform your doctor: nausea or vomiting, a headache, diarrhea, dizziness, tingling in your hands or feet, or itching.

Storage

Famvir should be stored at a temperature between 15C and 30C (59F and 86F). Keep away from children.

Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, immediately search for medical help. The symptoms of an overdose of Famvir are not known but an overdose of acyclovir which is a similar medicine causes seizures, hallucinations, and kidney damage (decreased urine production).

More Information

The usage of Famvir should start as soon as the first symptoms appear (tingling, burning, blisters). Do not stop using Famvir even if you feel well. You can infect other people even during the treatment so do not let the infected areas to contact with other people. Wash your hands to avoid transmission of the infection. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Disclaimer

These instructions are for your information only. Be aware that the directions don't cover all uses, medicine interactions, precautions, or unfavorable effects. These prescriptions are only informative and shouldn't be relied on for any further actions. Don't accept the instructions as directions for application for any specific complaint. We deny all responsibility for the preciseness and trustiness of the information displayed and/or any results proceeding from it inclusive of harms or undesirable consequences to people or possessions if such occur. No warranty, either expressed or referred to, is made in connection to the above information.