Famciclovir Sodium(fam sye’ kloe vir)
Famvir
PREGNANCY CATEGORY B
Drug Class
Antiviral
Therapeutic Actions
Antiviral activity; inhibits viral DNA replication in acute herpes zoster.
Indications
Management of acute herpes zoster (shingles)
Treatment or suppression of recurrent episodes of genital herpes
Treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent patients
Treatment of recurrent mucocutaneous orolabial or genital herpes simplex infections in HIV-infected patients
Unlabeled uses: Initial management of herpes genitalis, infection prophylaxis in neutropenia
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to famciclovir or penciclovir, lactation.
Use cautiously with pregnancy, impaired renal function.
Available Forms
Tablets—125, 250, 500 mg
Dosages
Adults
Herpes zoster: 500 mg every 8 hr PO for 7 days.
Genital herpes, first episode in immune-competent patients: 230 mg tid for 7–10 days.
Treatment of recurrent genital herpes: 125 mg PO bid for 5 days or 1,000 mg PO bid for 1 day.
Chronic suppression of recurrent genital herpes: 250 mg PO bid for up to 1 yr.
Recurrent orolabial or genital herpes simplex infection in HIV-infected patients: 500 mg every 12 hr PO for 7 days.
Recurrent herpes labialis: 1,500 mg PO as a single dose.
Pediatric patients
Safety and efficacy not established.
Patients with renal impairment
Herpes zoster: Treat for 7 days as indicated below.
CrCl (mL/min)
Dose
60 or more
500 mg every 8 hr
40–59
500 mg every 12 hr
20–39
500 mg every 24 hr
Less than 20
250 mg every 24 hr
Dialysis
250 mg as a single dose after dialysis
Recurrent herpes labialis: Give a single dose as indicated below.
CrCl (mL/min)
Dose
60 or more
1,500 mg
40–59
750 mg
20–39
500 mg
Less than 20
250 mg
Dialysis
250 mg after dialysis 
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