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Information about Famvir - Herpes Medication
How to take Famvir
Famvir can be prescribed in one of three
ways:
-Episodic treatment: your doctor treats an outbreak of
genital herpes as it occurs. The usual dose of Famvir
is one 125-mg pill, twice a day, for 5 days.
-Suppressive treatment: if you have frequent or severe
outbreaks, you take one 250-mg pill, twice a day, for
up to 1 year to suppress the genital herpes virus and
help to prevent outbreaks.
-Patients with HIV: Famvir is the only prescription oral
antiviral therapy indicated for treating genital. In patients
with herpes simplex and HIV, the dose of Famvir is 500
mg, twice a day, for 7 days.
Famvir can be taken with or without food.
Warnings/Precautions
Do not take Famvir if you are allergic
to penciclovir (Denavir) without first talking to your
doctor. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor
if you have kidney disease. You may need a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment with Famvir. Famvir
(Pregnancy Category B) should be used during pregnancy
only if the benefit to the patient clearly exceeds the
risk to the fetus.
What if I miss a dose?
IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF YOUR FAMVIR HERPES
MEDICATION, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost
time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back
to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT take 2 doses at
once.
What if I take an overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. A Famvir
overdose has no known symptoms, but an overdose of acyclovir
(Zovirax), which is a similar drug, may cause seizures,
hallucinations, and kidney damage (decreased urine production).
Possible Famvir Side Effects
Stop taking Famvir and seek emergency medical
attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips,
tongue, or face; or hives). Other, less serious side effects
of Famvir may be more likely to occur. Continue to take
Famvir and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea
or vomiting, a headache, diarrohea, dizziness, tingling
in your hands or feet, or itching.
Storage
Store Famvir between 15C and 30C (59F and
86F) and out of reach of children.
More helpful information about Famvir
Start treatment with Famvir as soon as possible
after the first appearance of symptoms (e.g. tingling,
burning, blisters). Take all the Famvir that has been
prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your
symptoms may start to improve before the infection is
completely treated. Herpes infections are contagious and
you can infect other people, even during treatment. Avoid
letting infected areas come into contact with other people.
Wash your hands frequently to prevent transmission. For
more information, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or health
care provider.
Disclaimer
This drug information is for your
information purposes only, it is not intended that this
information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions,
precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This
is only general information, and should not be relied
on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing
specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim
all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of
this information, and/or any consequences arising from
the use of this information, including damage or adverse
consequences to persons or property, however such damages
or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or
implied, is made in regards to this information.
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