FAMVIR
FAMVIR ONLINE
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine
must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision
you and your doctor will make. For famciclovir, the following
should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to famciclovir. Also tell
your health care professional if you are allergic to any other
substances, such as foods, sulfites or other preservatives, or
dyes.
Pregnancy—Famciclovir has not been studied
in pregnant women. However, famciclovir has not been shown to
cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding—It is not known whether
famciclovir passes into the breast milk of humans; however, it
does pass into the milk of rats. Famciclovir is not recommended
during breast-feeding because it may cause unwanted effects in
nursing babies.
Children—Studies on this medicine have been
done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information
comparing use of famciclovir in children with use in other age
groups.
Older adults—Famciclovir has been used in
the elderly and has not been shown to cause different side effects
or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines
should not be used together at all, in other cases two different
medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.
In these cases, your doctor may want to change your dose or other
precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional
if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription
(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems—The presence of other
medical problems may affect the use of famciclovir. Make sure you
tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems,
especially:
 | Kidney disease—Kidney disease may increase blood levels of
this medicine, increasing the chance of side effects |
Proper Use of This Medicine
Famciclovir is best used within 48 hours after the symptoms of
shingles (for example, pain, burning, blisters) begin to appear,
or within 6 hours after the symptoms of recurrent genital herpes
(for example, pain, blisters) begin to appear.
Famciclovir may be taken with meals.
To help clear up your herpes infection, keep taking
famciclovir for the full time of treatment, even if your
symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Do not miss any
doses. However, do not use this medicine more often or
for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
Dosing—
The dose of famciclovir will be different for different
patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the
label. The following information includes only the average
doses of famciclovir. Your dose may be different if you have
kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless
your doctor tells you to do so.
| For oral dosage form (tablets):
| For treatment of shingles:
| Adults—500 milligrams (mg) every eight hours for
seven days.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
|
| For suppression of recurrent genital herpes:
| Adults—250 mg two times a day for up to one year.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
|
| For treatment of recurrent genital herpes:
| Adults—125 mg two times a day for five days.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
|
| For treatment of recurrent herpes virus infections of
the mucous membranes (lips and mouth) and genitals in
HIV-infected patients:
| Adults—500 mg two times a day for seven days.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
|
|
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|
Missed dose—
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as
possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip
the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do
not double doses.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
| Keep out of the reach of children.
| Store away from heat and direct light.
| Do not store the tablets in the bathroom, near the kitchen
sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the
medicine to break down.
| Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of
children. |
| | |
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they
become worse, check with your doctor.
The areas affected by herpes should be kept as clean and dry as
possible. Also, wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating
the sores (blisters).
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some
unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may
occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Side effects may occur that usually do not need medical
attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your
body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if
any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
| More common
| Headache |
|
| Less common
| Diarrhea; dizziness; nausea; unusual
tiredness or weakness; vomiting |
|
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some
patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
