Rated 4.8
Famciclovir
Prescription Only Medication (POM)
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About the product
Famciclovir Tablets are used to treat genital herpes, a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus.
It works by stopping the virus from multiplying, helping to reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is there a generic for Famvir?
Yes. Famciclovir is the generic version of Famvir, and it contains the same active ingredient. Famvir is available as 125mg, 250mg and 500mg tablets, and generic famciclovir as 250mg and 500mg tablets.
The strength and how long you take it depend on what you’re being treated for, so follow the dose your prescriber or pharmacist has given you, and don’t swap between strengths without checking first. You can take famciclovir with or without food.
Is famciclovir the same as acyclovir?
No, they’re different medicines, but they’re related. Famciclovir and aciclovir are both antivirals, which means they treat infections caused by viruses, in this case herpes viruses. They contain different active ingredients and come in different forms: famciclovir is a tablet, licensed for shingles and genital herpes, while aciclovir comes as tablets, a liquid, creams and an eye ointment.
Your prescriber will choose the one that suits you. If you’re taking either, don’t swap or combine them without checking with your prescriber or pharmacist first.
Is Famvir stronger than Valtrex?
Famvir and Valtrex are different medicines, so you can’t compare them by the number of milligrams. Famvir contains famciclovir and Valtrex contains valaciclovir, and both are licensed in the UK to treat shingles and genital herpes.
Your prescriber will choose the one that suits you, so don’t swap between them without checking first.
What is the alternative to famciclovir?
The other antivirals used to treat herpes infections are aciclovir and valaciclovir (sold as Valtrex). Aciclovir comes as tablets, a liquid, creams and an eye ointment, and valaciclovir comes as tablets.
Which one is right for you depends on what you’re being treated for and your general health, so your prescriber or pharmacist can talk you through the options.
How fast does famciclovir work?
There’s no set time for when famciclovir starts to work, but you’ll benefit most from starting it as soon as possible. For shingles, that means as soon as it’s been diagnosed. For genital herpes, it means at the first signs, such as tingling, itching, burning or pain. After you take it, famciclovir is quickly turned into its active form in the body.
If your symptoms get worse, speak to your prescriber.
Does Famvir work for shingles?
Yes. Famvir is licensed in the UK to treat shingles, including shingles that affects the eye, in adults with a healthy immune system. In studies, famciclovir helped shingles lesions to heal.
The usual dose is 500mg three times a day for 7 days, started as soon as possible after shingles has been diagnosed. If your symptoms get worse or don’t improve, speak to your prescriber.
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