Salt Information

Famciclovir

Uses

Famciclovir is used in treatment of recurrent viral infections such as cold sores/fever blisters due to Herpes labialis (infection on lips caused by the herpes simplex virus), genital herpes (herpes virus infection that causes sores to and around the genitals and rectum), and shingles (herpes zoster or ophthalmic zoster) in healthy (immunocompetent) adults. Famciclovir is also used in HIV-infected and immune compromised adults for treatment of recurrent episodes of orolabial (infection of the mouth area caused by the herpes simplex virus) or genital herpes.

How it works

Famciclovir is a prodrug of penciclovir (i.e., once in the body, it rapidly converts into penciclovir), an antiviral drug that belongs to a class called synthetic nucleoside analogues. It works by blocking the viral DNA replication; a process essential for the virus to grow and multiply. Famciclovir thus stops the virus from spreading in the body.

Common side effects

Nausea, Vomiting, Rashes, Somnolence, Pruritus, Dizziness, Abnormal results for liver function tests., Headaches