Famciclovir
About Famciclovir
Famciclovir is used to treat viral infections. It plays a vital role in treating cold sores (an inflamed blister in or near the mouth, caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus), genital herpes (A common sexually transmitted infection marked by genital pain and sores), and herpes zoster (a viral infection that causes a painful rash). Famciclovir does not cure herpes but does not allow the infection to spread and treat its symptoms.
Famciclovir contains famciclovir, which is an antiviral medication. It is used in treating viral infection by preventing the multiplication of viruses in human cells. As a result, this stops the proliferation of viruses, slowly leading to the viral infection clearing up.
The dose you are given will depend on your condition and how you respond to Famciclovir. In some cases, you may experience headaches, feeling dizzy, feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting), diarrhoea, and itching. Most of these side effects of Famciclovir are temporary, do not require medical attention, and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take Famciclovir if you are allergic to Famciclovir, famciclovir, or any of its ingredients. Inform your doctor before taking Famciclovir if you have kidney/liver problems or have problems with your immune system. Check with your doctor if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines. Use protection while having sexual intercourse to avoid the transfer of genital herpes (a sexually transmitted disease) to your partner. If you have a weak immune system, please inform your doctor before taking Famciclovir as a dose adjustment may be required.
Uses of Famciclovir
Medicinal Benefits
Famciclovir contains famciclovir, which is an antiviral medication. It works by making viruses less active in the human body. Famciclovir works against herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) viruses that cause oral or genital herpes.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Famciclovir
- Headache
- Feeling dizzy
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Drug Warnings
Do not take Famciclovir if you are allergic to Famciclovir or any of its ingredients. Inform your doctor about all other OTC medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are already taking. Take Famciclovir with caution if you have kidney disease or liver disease. Do not drive a car or operate any machinery which requires concentration as Famciclovir may cause dizziness. Use protection while having sexual intercourse to avoid the transfer of genital herpes (a sexually transmitted disease) to your partner. If you have a weak immune system, please inform your doctor before taking Famciclovir as a dose adjustment may be required. Inform your doctor before taking Famciclovir if you have a known intolerance to some sugars, e.g. lactose.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interactions: Famciclovir may have an interaction with medication used to treat hairy cell leukaemia (cladribine), vaccines (varicella virus vaccine, zoster vaccine live), a medication used to treat gout (probenecid), a medication used to treat melanoma (talimogene laherparepvec), medication for the treatment of lung cancer (pemetrexed), a medication used in the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection (entecavir) and medication used to treat irregular heartbeat (digitoxin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Famciclovir may interact with non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are taking or planning to take. Avoid alcohol consumption while on this medication.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems, problems with the immune system and liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol with Famciclovir may increase the risk of side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionFamciclovir is a pregnancy Category B medicine. It is not known whether Famciclovir will affect pregnant women or fetus or not. Hence, the intake of Famciclovir should be only if prescribed and under medical supervision.
Breast Feeding
cautionFamciclovir is a pregnancy Category B medicine. It is not known whether Famciclovir will pass through the milk in breastfeeding women or not. Hence, Famciclovir should only be taken if prescribed by a doctor and under medical supervision.
Driving
unsafeFamciclovir can cause dizziness, drowsiness or confusion. So, operating machinery which requires concentration should be avoided.
Liver
cautionFamciclovir to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionFamciclovir to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeFamciclovir should not be given to children below the age of 12 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
Include turmeric or yellow mustard in your diet to avoid constipation caused by antiviral drugs and increase the intake of fluids to stay hydrated.
Drink plenty of water for better processing of food by the body.
Avoid sugary foods such as cake, cookies, packaged baked food or soda. Also, avoid heavy salt foods.
Avoid foods containing saturated fats such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, sour cream, butter and other high-fat dairy products as they may lead to weight gain and result in fatty liver.
Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption as they may increase the risk of liver damage.
Special Advise
Regular blood tests are recommended while on Famciclovir and several months after treatment with Famciclovir to monitor liver functioning.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Herpes zoster (shingles): It is a viral infection that causes a painful rash that causes red skin rashes along with pain and burning. The virus lives in your nervous system for years before causing Herpes. It can appear on your face, neck, torso, and one side of the body. It can occur in and around the eyes, also known as ophthalmic herpes zoster.
Genital herpes: Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It primarily spreads through sexual contact. Genital herpes can cause itching, pain, and sores in the genital area. There is no cure for genital herpes, but medications like Famciclovir can ease symptoms and reduce the risk of infecting the virus to others. Using condoms can prevent the spread of genital herpes infection.
FAQs
Famciclovir is used to treat viral infections. It plays a vital role in treating cold sores (an inflamed blister in or near the mouth caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus), genital herpes (a common sexually transmitted infection marked by genital pain and sores), and herpes zoster (a viral infection that causes a painful rash).
Famciclovir belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals. It works by preventing the replication of viral DNA that is necessary for viruses to multiply, thereby stops spreading of herpes virus in the body. Famciclovir is a "prodrug," that is converted to penciclovir in the body. Famciclovir does not cure or stop the spread of herpes. Famciclovir only relieves pain, itching, and also heals and prevents sores associated with herpes virus infections.
If you miss a dose of Famciclovir, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it's almost time for the next dose, do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
No, Famciclovir does not cure herpes infection. Instead, it reduces pain and itching caused due to it and prevents a new sore formation.
Famciclovir should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Abrupt stopping of this medicine may lead to resistance to other medications making the infection difficult to treat.
The overdose of Famciclovir leads to an increased risk of side-effects that can be fatal sometimes. In people with kidney problems, it rarely leads to kidney failure on overdose. So, consult a doctor immediately if you accidentally overdose on this medicine.
No, even while you are taking Famciclovir, you can infect others. Herpes infections are contagious, so avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Do not touch your eyes after touching an infected area. Wash your hands often to prevent spreading the infection to others. You should practice safe sex by using condoms and avoid sex if you have genital sores or blisters.
Famciclovir is effective if used in the dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you feel better as discontinuing too early may cause the symptoms to reoccur or worsen.
Before starting treatment with Famciclovir, tell your doctor if you have any other health problems, such as liver or kidney-related issues as certain medical conditions may affect your treatment and may even require changes in the dose. Let your doctor know about all the other medicines you are taking because they may affect, or be affected by Famciclovir. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to conceive.
Although serious side effects are rare, if you experience them, you should consult your doctor immediately. These rare side effects include blistering or peeling rash, hives, yellow skin or eyes, loss of consciousness, unusual bruising or bleeding, fits, hallucinations, difficulty in breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Elderly people (above 65 years age) are at higher risk of experiencing Famciclovir side effects because their kidneys do not eliminate the medicine out of their body as quickly as those of a younger person. While taking Famciclovir, elderly patients should drink plenty of water, and their kidney function should be checked. Therefore, lower dose should be recommended for these patients and should be monitored for neurological problems.
If someone take more than the recommended dose of Famciclovir accidentally over several days, it may cause Famciclovir overdose and result in vomiting, nausea, headache and confusion. In such case, please consult your doctor.
Patients with an impaired immunity or advanced HIV disease have reported resistance to Famciclovir. If you are not reacting to Famciclovir, the possibility of drug resistance should be checked.
