:: What is Famvir?
Famvir (famciclovir) is a FDA-approved oral antiviral medication used for the treatment of herpes. Famvir is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp., based in East Hanover, New Jersey, USA.
Famvir's antiviral activity is against herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses. Famvir is used for the:
1. Treatment of recurrent genital herpes (episodic treatment  ).
2. Suppression of recurrent genital herpes (suppressive treatment ).
3. Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex virus infections (genital herpes and cold sores) in HIV-infected patients.
4. Treatment of herpes zoster (shingles).
Famvir reduces the symptoms and duration of a genital herpes outbreak. Many people go almost a year with no outbreaks, when it is used daily.
Famvir leads to faster healing of lesions when used in patients with shingles.
See our comprehensive Herpes FAQ to learn more about genital herpes, as well as herpes zoster (shingles) and herpes labialis (cold sores).
You can buy Famvir by going to our Famvir price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Famvir prices, no prior prescription required.
If this is your first time ordering Famvir online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: Who should take Famvir?
Patients with Genital Herpes should take Famvir: Patients diagnosed with genital herpes can receive episodic treatment of Famvir
for 5 days for each outbreak as it occurs, or, they can receive suppressive continuous daily treatment of Famvir for frequent or severe outbreaks to help prevent them.
HIV Positive Patients with herpes simplex infection should take Famvir: Famvir is the only oral prescription antiviral approved for HIV positive patients with a herpes simplex infection. Famvir is used for outbreaks for 7 days.
Patients with Herpes Zoster (shingles) should take Famvir: Famvir is started within 72 hours of rash to help reduce the duration of herpes zoster.
See our comprehensive Herpes FAQ to learn more about genital herpes, as well as herpes zoster (shingles) and herpes labialis (cold sores).
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:: Who should not take Famvir?
You should not take Famvir if you have a hypersensitivity to famciclovir (the active ingredient of Famvir), any component of the formulation, and Denavir (penciclovir cream).
Only your healthcare provider can tell you for sure if you should or not take Famvir. Inform your healthcare provider, during either a physical or online consultation, about all the medicines you are taking, prescription or over-the-counter, and about any medical conditions you have or have had, including allergies.
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:: What should I tell the doctor before taking Famvir?
Pregnancy and nursing: There is no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Famvir. But there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Famvir should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit to the patient clearly exceeds the risk to the fetus. Famvir may be secreted in human milk and may harm the infant. Women should notify their doctor if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking Famvir.
Kidney disease: If you have kidney problems, tell your doctor before taking Famvir. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor will determine if Famvir is appropriate for you or adjust your dosage.
Let your doctor know about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking, and if you have or have had other medical conditions including allergies.
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:: What is herpes?
This question requires its own frequently asked questions page. Please see our comprehensive Herpes FAQ to learn about Genital Herpes, as well as Herpes Zoster (shingles).
There, you will also find advice on ways to manage the symptoms of herpes to help you get through outbreaks, as well as things you can do to reduce the risk of spread to others.
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:: What is episodic treatment of genital herpes with Famvir?
Episodic treatment of genital herpes means you take Famvir at the first sign of a genital herpes outbreak, treating each outbreak when it occurs to relieve the symptoms of pain, burning, and itching and speed up the healing of sores.
You take Famvir as soon as you feel an outbreak is coming on for 5 days, then stop treatment until the next outbreak. This method may be preferred if you have outbreaks infrequently, or if they are mild when they occur.
Episodic treatment of genital herpes does not reduce the number of outbreaks.
See our comprehensive Herpes FAQ to learn more about genital herpes.
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:: What is suppressive treatment of genital herpes with Famvir?
Suppressive treatment of genital herpes means you take Famvir continuously to help suppress outbreaks of genital herpes before they occur.
You take Famvir twice a day, every day. This method may be preferred if you have frequent outbreaks, outbreaks are more severe with painful symptoms, outbreaks and anticipation of outbreaks are very stressful, or you simply want to minimize the number of outbreaks.
Many people on twice-daily suppressive therapy with Famvir may go almost a year without experiencing an outbreak.
See our comprehensive Herpes FAQ to learn more about genital herpes.
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:: How is herpes zoster treated with Famvir?
Herpes Zoster (shingles) is an acute infection that frequently leads to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a severe and painful condition.
Famvir is used to shorten the length of the herpes zoster infection, speed up the healing of the skin sores, and shorten the duration of PHN in those patients who develop PHN. Famvir is used for 7 days, but must be started within 72 hours of the appearance of the herpes zoster rash.
Over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers are also used to reduce inflammation and pain.
See our detailed Herpes FAQ to learn more about herpes zoster (shingles).
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:: How does Famvir work?
Famvir is an antiviral agent. It reduces the amount of viruses in your system. Famvir enters your blood and is converted by your cells into another drug called penciclovir.
The herpes virus in your body uses your cells to multiply. Penciclovir interferes with a compound the virus needs to multiply thereby reducing the rate at which it can propagate.
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:: How well does Famvir work?
While there is no cure for genital herpes, treatment with Famvir has been shown to have the following results.
Famvir’s Episodic Treatment of Genital Herpes: In clinical trials Famvir significantly relieved the symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak. Famvir reduced the duration of pain, burning, itching, and tenderness. Sores healed faster in patients taking Famvir compared to patents taking sugar pill. The studies showed that 97 percent of patients were pain-free and 95 percent of patients were free of burning by day 5, while 93 percent of patients had stopped viral shedding by day 4.
Famvir’s Suppressive Treatment of Genital Herpes: A study of almost 1000 patients showed that many people on twice-daily suppressive therapy with Famvir went almost a year without experiencing an outbreak. The average number of days to the first recurrence was 336 days for patients taking Famvir 250mg twice a day versus 47 days for patients taking sugar pill. The safety and efficacy of Famvir for suppressive therapy beyond 1 year of treatment have not been established.
Famvir’s Treatment of Herpes Zoster (Shingles): Famvir can significantly reduce the duration of herpes zoster. Famvir should be started within 72 hours of rash, if it is not or no treatment is used there is an increased risk that shingles will lead to complications. In clinical studies, patients age 50 or older, receiving Famvir had an average time to full crusting of lesions that was 5 days versus 7 days in patients who received sugar pill. Although use of Famvir did not affect the intensity of pain from lesions it did reduce the number of days of pain from postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in those patients who developed PHN from 119 days in patients treated with placebo to 63 days in patients treated with Famvir.
* Keep in mind that even with antiviral treatment, it is still possible to spread the herpes virus to other people.
The efficacy of Famvir has not been established for the treatment of an initial outbreak of genital herpes infection or for the treatment of ophthalmic or disseminated shingles or in immuno-compromised patients with shingles.
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:: How safe is Famvir?
Famvir (famciclovir) is FDA-approved and has been used as an antiviral agent since 1994. The safety and efficacy profile of Famvir has been maintained by real-world experience as well as clinical trials.
Famvir is safe when used on an as-needed basis, taken as each herpes outbreak occurs (episodic treatment ), or when used as a continuous daily therapy (suppressive treatment ).
However, Famvir may not be for everyone. Be sure to read Who should not take Famvir? .
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:: What does Famvir look like?
Famvir tablets, by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp., come in 125mg, 250mg, and 500mg. Famvir 250mg tablets are the most commonly prescribed.
Famvir 125 and 250mg tablets are white, round, biconvex, with the imprint FAMVIR on one side and 125 or 250 on the other.
Famvir 500mg tablets are white, oval, biconvex, with the imprint FAMVIR on one side and 500 on the other.
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:: What is the difference between Famvir, Valtrex, and Acyclovir?
Each medication has been studied and FDA-approved for use as follows: (differences in bold)
Acyclovir use is approved for the:
- Treatment of initial episodes and the management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes.
- Suppression of recurrent genital herpes.
- Treatment of herpes zoster (shingles).
- Treatment of chicken pox.
Valtrex use is approved for the:
- Treatment of initial episodes and the management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes.
- Suppression of recurrent genital herpes.
- Treatment of herpes zoster (shingles).
- Treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis).
* Valtrex is also the only herpes medication studied and proven to reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes to a partner when used with safer sex practices.
Famvir use is approved for the:
- Treatment of recurrent genital herpes (episodic treatment ).
- Suppression of recurrent genital herpes (suppressive treatment ).
- Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex virus infections (genital herpes and cold sores) in HIV-infected patients.
- Treatment of herpes zoster (shingles).
Acyclovir is available in generic form. Valtrex (valacyclovir) is converted into acyclovir in your body but is better absorbed by the body and can be taken less often than acyclovir. Famvir (famciclovir) is similar to acyclovir and is also better absorbed and can be taken less often than acyclovir.
Clinical studies have not found any major difference in effectiveness of these three drugs and there are no studies directly comparing the efficacy of Valtrex and Famvir. The main difference between them is in how often the drug must be taken, and cost.
Generic acyclovir may offer some cost-saving, but Valrex and Famvir are better absorbed and are generally thought to be more effective. Valtrex and Famvir cost approximately the same per tablet but since Valtrex is taken once daily and Famvir is taken twice daily, suppressive therapy with Valtrex is more cost effective.
Below is a comparison of the dosing schedules for each drug:
Intermittent (episodic) therapy of genital herpes
Acyclovir 200mg tablet 5 times per day for 5 days
Famvir 125mg tablet 2 times per day for 5 days
Valtrex 500mg tablet 2 times per day for 3 days
Suppressive therapy of genital herpes
Acyclovir 400mg tablet twice daily, or 200mg tablet 3 to 5 times daily
Famvir 250mg tablet twice daily
Valtrex 500mg tablet once daily
Valrex has to be taken the least often, then Famvir, then Acyclovir.
See our comprehensive Herpes FAQ to learn more about Genital Herpes, as well as Herpes Zoster (shingles).
For info on Acyclovir and Valtrex, see our Acyclovir FAQ and Valtrex FAQ .
For prices, see our Famvir price comparison page , where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Famvir prices, no prior prescription required.
Then, compare with Acyclovir prices and Valtrex prices .
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:: How do I take Famvir?
Famvir is available in 125mg, 250mg, and 500mg, easy-to-swallow tablets. Famvir can be taken with or without food.
If you are taking Famvir to treat genital herpes:
Episodic treatment- outbreaks of genital herpes are treated when they occur. The usual dose of Famvir is one 125mg tablet orally twice a day for 5 days.
Suppressive treatment- medication taken continuously to help prevent outbreaks. The usual dose of Famvir is one 250mg tablet orally twice a day for up to 1 year.
Patients with HIV- outbreaks of genital or orolabial herpes in people infected with HIV. The usual dose of Famvir is 500mg orally twice a day for 7 days.
If you are taking Famvir to treat herpes zoster (shingles):
The usual dose of Famvir for the treatment of herpes zoster is 500mg orally three times a day for 7 days. Famvir should be started within 72 hours of the appearance of the herpes zoster rash.
* Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor will determine if Famvir is appropriate for you or adjust your dosage.
Your doctor may have a plan that varies from above, always follow your doctor’s recommendations.
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:: For how long should I continue to use Famvir?
The safety and efficacy of Famvir for suppressive therapy has only been studied for treatment of up to 1 year. Your doctor will advise you regarding your use of Famvir for suppressive therapy beyond this period.
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:: What should I do if I miss a dose of Famvir?
If you miss a dose of Famvir, take it as soon as you remember it and then take your next dose at its regular time. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT double the dose to make up for a missed dose of Famvir.
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:: How should I store Famvir?
Keep Famvir and all medications out of children's reach.
Store Famvir at room temperature in a tight container. Store away from moisture, heat and direct light. Do not keep medicine past the expiration date, dispose of properly.
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:: What are the possible side effects of Famvir?
In clinical trials, the most commonly reported side events were, nausea, and diarrhea.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur with Famvir. Talk to your doctor about any side effects that seem unusual or that are especially bothersome when taking Famvir.
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:: What other precautions should I take when using Famvir?
Genital Herpes and Safer Sex Practices: There is no cure for herpes. It is possible to spread the herpes virus whether or not you currently have an outbreak even with antiviral treatment using Famvir. Do not have sexual contact with your partner when you have an outbreak or when you think you are about to get an outbreak, and always use a condom when you have sex.
Pregnancy and Breast Feeding: There is no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Famvir. But there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Famvir should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit to the patient clearly exceeds the risk to the fetus. Famvir may be secreted in human milk and may harm the infant. Women should notify their doctor if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking Famvir.
Kidney Disease: Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor will determine if Famvir is appropriate for you or adjust your dosage.
Do NOT share your Famvir prescription with others, this can be a very dangerous practice.
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:: What are the possible drug interactions of Famvir?
Inform your doctor, during either a physical or online consultation, about all the medicines you use, prescription and non-prescription. Certain medicines should never be used together. Some medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may change the dose, monitor the effects or take other precautions.
Famvir was studied in combination with cimetidine, allopurinol, theophylline, digoxin, and zidovudine (AZT) and no clinically significant interactions were found. Tell your doctor if you are taking probenecid.
There may be interactions with other drugs that have not been established.
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:: What should be done in case of a suspected overdose of Famvir?
Keep Famvir and all medications away from children's reach.
If someone takes a much larger dose of Famvir than recommended, call your doctor, emergency medical services (EMS) 911, or the poison control center immediately.
National Poison Control Center telephone number: 800-222-1222
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:: Is Famvir available over the counter?
No. Famvir is currently available by prescription only.
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:: How can I get a Famvir prescription online?
Go to our Famvir price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Famvir prices, no prior prescription required.
Our featured US-based online pharmacies work with US-licensed doctors and pharmacists to provide you with your prescriptions through an online consultation.
If this is your first time ordering Famvir online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: How much does Famvir cost?
Some companies charge less per pill but charge you separately for their consultation and pharmacy dispensing fees. Others include these fees into their final pricing.
RxPriceCheck's featured pharmacies give you a free online medical consultation with your order. Be sure to compare Famvir prices before buying.
Usually, the more tablets you buy, the cheaper the price per tablet.
See our Famvir price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Famvir prices no prior prescription needed.
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:: What is generic Famvir and is it available?
The generic name for Famvir is famciclovir. Only Famvir brand is currently available in the US.
See our Famvir price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Famvir prices, no prior prescription required.
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:: Is it safe to order Famvir or other medications from non-US
pharmacies?
Purchasing Famvir from non-US pharmacies can be potentially dangerous. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not recommend ordering medications online from pharmacies located outside the US, because it cannot guarantee the origin, quality or safety of the medication, or regulate the manufacturers. Therefore, it may be filled with other ingredients that may harm you, or it may be fake, sold as Famvir, but not contain the active ingredient famciclovir.
RxPriceCheck.com only affiliates with online pharmacies that work with US licensed physicians and pharmacists, and sell brand Famvir approved by the FDA and manufactued by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp. You can therefore choose from our list of online pharmacies with confidence.
See our Famvir price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Famvir prices no prior prescription needed.
If this is your first time ordering Famvir online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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* The information contained in RxPriceCheck.com is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider regarding your medical condition. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View our terms of use .
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