Drug Groups

approved

Description

Famciclovir is a guanine analogue antiviral drug used for the treatment of various herpes virus infections, most commonly for herpes zoster (shingles). It is a prodrug form of penciclovir with improved oral bioavailability. Famciclovir is marketed under the trade name Famvir (Novartis).

Indication

For the treatment of acute herpes zoster (shingles). Also for the treatment or suppression of recurrent genital herpes in immunocompetent patients and treatment of recurrent mucocutaneous herpes simplex infections in HIV infected patients.

Pharmacology

Famciclovir is a prodrug that undergoes rapid biotransformation to the active antiviral compound penciclovir. Penciclovir is an anti-viral drug which has inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) and varicella zoster virus (VZV). Therefore, herpes viral DNA synthesis and replication are selectively inhibited.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Hepatic

Absorption

77 %

Half Life

10 hours

Protein Binding

20-25%

Elimination

Active tubular secretion contributes to the renal elimination of penciclovir.

Distribution

* 1.08±0.17 L/kg [healthy male subjects following a single intravenous dose of penciclovir at 400 mg administered as a 1-hour intravenous infusion]

Clearance

* 36.6 +/- 6.3 L/hr [healthy male]
* 0.48 +/- 0.09 L/hr/kg [healthy male]

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