Famvir contains an anti-viral medicine called famciclovir which is used to treat various viral infections, including: - Shingles (herpes zoster) which is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus responsible for causing chickenpox - Shingles around the eye (ophthalmic zoster) - Genital herpes (herpes simplex) – this is characterised by burning, itching and blistering of the genital area. Famciclovir can also be used to prevent this infection from occurring in certain patients where this condition is more likely (for example, those with a compromised immune system).
It is usually prescribed for adults to treat the above conditions, but in addition may occasionally be used to treat children for some forms of the above viruses.
Please seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following side effects: - Severe blistering/burning - Unexplained bruising/purple areas of skin - Swelling below the surface of the skin - Yellowing of the skin
Some of the more common side effects that you might notice after using this drug are: - Headache - Nausea and vomiting - Diarrhoea - Dizziness - Rash - Itching - Abnormal liver function test results
Please inform one of our doctors if any of the above effects occur and become intolerable as it is very important that you do not stop taking the course of medication before it is complete.
Famciclovir should be taken at the prescribed dose with or without food. The dose prescribed to you will depend on the condition being treated, whether you have had the condition before and whether your immune system is compromised in any way (such as by taking immunosuppressant medication). Please feel free to discuss this with one of our doctors to ensure we prescribe the correct dose for you.
You should evenly space the doses throughout the day as much as possible. Do not take two doses within less than one hour of each other.
Additionally, please inform one of our doctors before taking this medicine if you have problems with your kidney, liver or immune system.
If you are taking this medicine for genital herpes, you should ensure barrier contraception (such as condoms) are used to prevent passing the infection to others. You are advised to refrain from having sex if you have genital sores or blisters in order to allow these to heal.
Famciclovir stops the varicella zoster virus from replicating copies of itself and spreading in the body, allowing the virus to be removed from your body more quickly.
The virus starts replicating early on in the infection (sometimes even before symptoms are seen) meaning the earlier treatment is started, the more effective this medicine will be.
Famciclovir is sometimes used where resistant forms of the virus render other anti-viral medicines (such as aciclovir and penciclovir) ineffective. For this reason, patients with a compromised immune system may be prescribed famciclovir as opposed to other anti-virals.
In order for the infection to be fully cleared from your body and prevent it returning, it is important that you complete the full course even if symptoms improve or resolve before the course is complete.
