Famvir Side Effects

Severe Side Effects of Famvir

• Famvir may cause kidney failure in some patients.  See Warnings.
• Some patients have reported an unsafe drop in platelet count while using Famvir.
• Famvir may cause hallucinations or hysteria.

Common Side Effects of Famvir

• Common gastrointestinal side effects of Famvir include upset stomach, vomiting, gas, loose stools, and stomach pain.
• Other common side effects include headache, tiredness, and rash.

Warnings & Recalls for Famvir

Warnings

• Famvir may cause kidney failure in patients who already have kidney disease or impaired renal function.
• Probenecid (a gout medication) may increase levels of Famvir in the body.  The patient should be monitored for Famvir toxicity.
• Famvir is primarily used to treat recurring herpes symptoms, not first time flareups.
• Patients with suppressed immune systems should avoid Famvir, unless otherwise indicated by their physician.

Famvir Treatment and Use

Famvir | Famciclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat the symptoms of herpes zoster and recurring herpes simplex.  It is often prescribed for cold sores, shingles, and genital herpes outbreaks, and to hiv patients with herpes simplex.  Famvir was approved for U.S. sale in 1994 is marketed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.  Since 2007, The generic form Famciclovir is manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals and TEVA Pharmeceuticals.

What does Famvir do?

Famvir is an antiviral drug that helps inhibit the spread of a recurring herpes outbreak.  While it does not eradicate the herpes virus in the body, it alleviates the painful symptoms associated with herpes.

Dosage

Famvir comes in 125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg tablets.  The single dose for cold sores is 1500 mg.

• For shingles, take 500 mg three times daily for 7 days.
• The dosage for genital herpes is 1000 mg twice a day until outbreak symptoms are gone.
• To help prevent future outbreaks and prevent viral shedding, take 250 mg twice a day.
• For HIV patients with a herpes outbreak, take 500 mg twice a day for 7 days.

Other Names for Famvir

Brand Name

• Famvir

Generic

• Famciclovir

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Famvir