Famciclovir
About Famciclovir
Famciclovir is used to treat 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 it prevents the infection from spreading and treats its symptoms.
Famciclovir contains famciclovir, which prevents viral multiplication in human cells.
In some cases, you may experience headaches, feeling dizzy, feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting), diarrhoea, and itching. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take Famciclovir if you are allergic to Famciclovir, famciclovir, or any of its ingredients. 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.
Uses of Famciclovir
Medicinal Benefits
- Reduces pain and expedites the healing of skin rashes, which aids in the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster).
- Minimizes the severity and duration of genital herpes outbreaks.
- When used early, it efficiently treats herpes labialis, or cold sores.
- When taken as preventive therapy, it reduces the chance of recurring herpes episodes.
- Lessens shingles-related nerve pain (post-herpetic neuralgia).
- Aids those with compromised immune systems in controlling herpes infections.
- Reduces viral shedding, potentially preventing the infection from spreading to other people.
Directions for Use
- Famciclovir can be taken with or without food, or as advised by a doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations on the dosage and timing of this medication to achieve optimal results.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Famciclovir
- Headache
- Feeling dizzy
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Medicines Containing this Salt
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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: Inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines, as there may be an interaction.
Medication used to treat gout (probenecid)
• Potential effect: May increase the level of Famciclovir.
Anti-viral medicines (acyclovir)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of side effects.
Painkillers (Ibuprofen, Aspirin)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of kidney problems.
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while on this medication.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have kidney, immune system, or liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeConsumption of alcohol with Famciclovir may increase the risk of side effects.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorFamciclovir is a pregnancy Category B medicine. It is not known whether Famciclovir will affect pregnant women or the fetus or not. Hence, the intake of Famciclovir should be prescribed only under medical supervision.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorFamciclovir is a pregnancy Category B medicine. It is not known whether Famciclovir passes through the milk of breastfeeding women. 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 disease. 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 disease. 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
Diet:
- Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing foods in your daily diet.
- Include turmeric or yellow mustard in your diet to help prevent constipation caused by antiviral drugs, and increase your fluid intake to stay hydrated.
- Drink plenty of water to improve the body's food processing.
- 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.
Lifestyle changes:
- To avoid infecting people with herpes, practice good personal cleanliness.
- During active outbreaks, stay away from intimate physical or sexual contact.
- Recurrences of herpes can be brought on by stress, so manage it using relaxing techniques.
- To strengthen your immune system and aid in your recuperation, get enough sleep.
Hygeine:
- Clean your hands often, especially after handling afflicted areas.
- To encourage healing, keep the affected area dry and clean.
- To stop the infection from spreading, don't share personal goods like lip balms, razors, or towels.
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 your 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 others with the virus. 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 stopping the spread of the 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 relieves pain and itching, and also heals and prevents sores associated with herpesvirus 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 the pain and itching caused by it and prevents the formation of new sores.
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, 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 of age) are at higher risk of experiencing Famciclovir side effects because their kidneys do not eliminate the medicine from their bodies as quickly as those of a younger person. While taking Famciclovir, elderly patients should drink plenty of water and have their kidney function checked. Therefore, a lower dose should be recommended for these patients and should be monitored for neurological problems.
If someone takes 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 a case, please consult your doctor.
Patients with 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.
