Famciclovir is an antiviral medicine that stops the varicella zoster virus that causes shingles. Famciclovir prevents the virus from multiplying and spreading within the body, reducing the blistering and pain from the shingles rash. Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections. ... The varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also known as human herpes virus 3 (HHV-3), is one of the eight herpes viruses known to affect humans (and other vertebrates). ... Herpes zoster, colloquially known as shingles, is the reactivation of varicella zoster virus, leading to a crop of painful blisters over the area of a dermatome. ...
In the EU, oral famciclovir tablets are marketed as Famvir by Novartis. Treatment with Famvir 750 mg tablets is usually performed by taking one tablet each day for 7 days at a regular time. By starting treatment early, the patient will get better more quickly because the medicine will prevent the virus from spreading. Novartis International AG is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland. ...
Famciclovir reduces the pain and the number of sores with the first episode and decreases the frequency and severity of episodes in individuals with recurrent episodes.
Famciclovir can be used to treat chicken pox to reduce healing time, limit the number of sores (pox), and reduce fever if used within the first 24 hours after the onset of the disease.
Famciclovir should only be used during pregnancy when the benefits to the mother outweigh potential risks to the fetus.