Drug Class Description
Antivirals.
Generic Name
Famciclovir - genital herpes
Drug Description
Each tablet contains 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg famciclovir
Presentation
Film-coated tablet.125 mg tablets: White, round, biconvex tablets, debossed with 'FAMVIR' or 'FV' on one side and 125 on the reverse side. 250 mg tablets: White, round, biconvex tablets, debossed with 'FAMVIR' or 'FV' on one side and 250 on the reverse side. 500 mg tablets: White, oval, biconvex tablets debossed with 'FAMVIR 500' or 'ORAVIR 500' or 'FV 500' on one side and plain on the reverse side.750 mg tablets: White, oval, biconvex tablets debossed with 'FAMVIR 750' or 'FV 750' on one side and plain on the reverse side.
Indications
125 mg tablets: For the treatment of acute recurrent genital herpes infections.
250 mg tablets: For the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles) infections, first episode genital herpes infections and the suppression of recurrent genital herpes infections.
500 mg tablets: Treatment of herpes zoster infections and treatment and suppression of herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients.
750 mg tablets: For the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles) infections.
Adult Dosage
Dosage: Adults:
Herpes zoster infections:
- One 750 mg tablet once daily for seven days, or
- One 250 mg tablet three times daily for seven days or alternatively three 250 mg tablets once a day for seven days. If the tablets are taken once a day they should be taken at approximately the same time each day.
Initiation of treatment is recommended as soon as possible after rash onset.
Herpes zoster infections in immunocompromised adults:
One 500mg tablet three times daily for ten days. Initiation of treatment is recommended as soon as possible after rash onset.
Herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised adults :
Acute treatment: One 500 mg tablet three times daily for seven days. Initiation of treatment is recommended as soon as possible after rash onset.
Suppression: A dose of 500 mg twice daily has been shown to be efficacious in HIV patients. Therapy should be interrupted periodically at intervals of six to twelve months in order to observe possible changes in the natural history of the disease.
First-episode genital herpes infections:
One 250 mg tablet three times daily for five days. Initiation of treatment is recommended as soon as possible after onset of lesions.
Recurrent genital herpes infections:
Acute treatment: One 125 mg tablet twice daily for five days. Initiation of treatment is recommended during the prodromal period or as soon as possible after onset of lesions.
Suppression: One 250 mg tablet twice daily. Therapy should be interrupted periodically at intervals of six to twelve months in order to observe possible changes in the natural history of the disease.
Elderly:
Dosage modification is not required unless renal function is impaired.
Renally impaired:
As reduced clearance of penciclovir is related to reduced renal function, special attention should be given to dosage in patients with impaired renal function. The following modifications are recommended:
|
For the treatment of herpes zoster infections and first-episode genital herpes infections: |
|
Creatinine clearance (ml/min/1.73m2 ) |
Dosage |
|
30-59 |
250 mg twice daily |
|
10-29 |
125 mg once daily |
|
For the treatment of acute recurrent genital herpes infections: |
|
Creatinine clearance (ml/min/1.73m2 ) |
Dosage |
|
30-59 |
No dose adjustment necessary |
|
10-29 |
125 mg once daily |
|
For the suppression of recurrent genital herpes infections: |
|
Creatinine clearance (ml/min/1.73m2 ) |
