Famciclovir
- Atc Codes:J05AB09#S01AD07
- CAS Codes:104227-87-4
- PHARMGKB ID:104227-87-4
Table of contents
- Brand Names
- Chemistry
- Pharmacologic Category
- Mechanism of Action
- Therapeutic Use
- Pregnancy and Lactation Implications
- Contraindications
- Warnings and Precautions
- Adverse Reactions
- Substrate of
- Drug Interactions
- Nutrition/Nutraceutical Interactions
- Dosage
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
- Special Considerations
Brand Names
Europe
Austria: Famciclovir, Famvir; Cyprus: Famvir; Czech Republic: Famciclovir; Denmark: Famvir; Finland: Famvir; France: Oravir; Germany: Famciclovir, Famvir; Greece: Famvir; Hungary: Famciclovir, Famvir; Ireland: Famciclovir, Famlov, Famvir, Myclovear; Italy: Famciclovir, Famvir; Luxembourg: Bencavir, Famvir; Malta: Famciclovir, Famvir; Netherlands: Famciclovir, Famvir; Poland: Famciclovir, Famvir; Slovakia: Famciclovir; Spain: Famciclovir, Famvir; Sweden: Famvir; UK: Famvir.
North America
Canada: Famciclovir, Famvir; USA: Famvir.
Latin America
Brazil: Famvir, Fanclomax.
Asia
Japan: Famvir.
Drug combinations
Chemistry
Famciclovir: C~14~H~19~N~5~O~4~. Mw: 321.33. 1,3-Propanediol, 2-[2-(2-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)ethyl]-, diacetate (ester). CAS-104227-87-4 (1992).
Pharmacologic Category
Antivirals; Nucleosides and Nucleotides. (ATC-Code: J05AB09; S01AD07).
Mechanism of action
Antiviral. Prodrug of penciclovir. Nucleoside derived from guanine. Famciclovir undergoes rapid biotransformation to the active compound, penciclovir, which is phosphorylated by viral thymidine kinase in HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV-infected cells to a monophosphate form. This is then converted to penciclovir triphosphate and competes with deoxyguanosine triphosphate to inhibit HSV-2 polymerase (e.g. herpes viral DNA synthesis/replication is selectively inhibited).
Therapeutic use
Used for treatment of acute herpes zoster (shingles). Treatment and suppression of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent patients. Treatment of herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent patients. Also used for treatment of recurrent mucocutaneous/genital herpes simplex in HIV-infected patients.
Pregnancy and lactiation implications
There are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if benefit outweighs risk. If herpes lesions are on breast, breast-feeding should be avoided in order to avoid transmission to infant.
Unlabeled use
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to famciclovir, penciclovir, or any component of the formulation.
Warnings and precautions
Not a cure for genital herpes. Use with caution in renal impairment. Tablets contain lactose (avoid use with galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndromes). Has not been established for use in initial episodes of genital herpes, ophthalmic or disseminated zoster, or in immunocompromised patients with herpes zoster. Infection can be transmitted in absence of symptoms through asymptomatic viral shedding (sexual contact should be avoided while lesions and/or symptoms are present). Use with caution in the elderly.