Famvir Dosage

For the treatment of shingles, Famvir dosing generally starts at 500 mg three times a day for seven days. At the first signs of a cold sore, you can take a single dose of Famvir 1500 mg to treat the condition. For treating an outbreak of genital herpes, the recommended Famvir dosage is usually 1000 mg twice daily for one day. To prevent future outbreaks, the suggested Famvir dose is 250 mg twice a day for up to one year.

 

An Introduction to Famvir Dosage

The dose of Famvir® (famciclovir) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As always, do not adjust your Famvir dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
For any use, your healthcare provider should reduce your Famvir dose if you have kidney disease (including kidney failure). In this case, your Famvir dose will be based on the condition being treated and how well your kidneys are functioning.
 

Famvir Dosing for Shingles

The recommended starting Famvir dose for shingles treatment is 500 mg every eight hours (three times a day) for seven days. Famvir should be started within three days of the onset of shingles symptoms.
 

Famvir Dosing for Genital Herpes

The dose of Famvir for genital herpes depends on whether you are using Famvir to treat or prevent outbreaks.
 
Outbreak Treatment
For treatment of an outbreak of genital herpes, the dose of Famvir is 1000 mg twice daily for one day, starting at the very first signs of an outbreak. The earlier it is started, the better it works.
(Famvir Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;