Famvir Uses

A number of viral infections can be treated with Famvir. Uses of the antiviral medication can include the treatment of shingles, recurring cold sores, recurring genital herpes, and herpes simplex infections in people with HIV (or other conditions that weaken the immune system). The medicine has not been approved for use in children. "Off-label" Famvir uses may include the treatment of other types of viral infections, such as chickenpox.

 

An Overview of Famvir Uses

Famvir® (famciclovir) is a prescription medication that is used for the treatment of the following conditions:
 
  • Shingles
     
  • Recurring genital herpes
     
  • Recurring cold sores
     
  • Herpes simplex infections (including cold sores and genital herpes) in people with HIV or other conditions that weaken the immune system.
     
Famvir for Shingles
Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is caused by a virus (the varicella-zoster virus). It is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Most people are infected with this virus (as chickenpox) when they are children. The body never completely gets rid of the virus, and the virus remains inactive in certain nerve cells in the body. Later in life, often triggered by stress or illness, the virus can become active again, causing shingles.
 
Symptoms of shingles may include a rash (usually on only one side of the body) and burning or tingling pain. Usually, the rash forms blisters that may break and ooze. If this happens, you may be able to spread the "shingles virus" to people who have never had chickenpox. Shingles pain can be very severe. It can continue long after the rash is gone (known medically as postherpetic neuralgia).
 
(Click Shingles Symptoms for more information about signs and symptoms of shingles.)
 
When Famvir is used for shingles treatment, it will help the shingles rash heal more quickly. Famvir is not a cure for shingles, as the virus will always remain in your body and may become active again.
(Famvir Uses Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;