Company InfoNewsInvestor InformationResearchDevelopmentCareersBusiness DevelopmentResourcesDrugs databaseBack to the home pageSearch  
Drugs database
Drugs A-Z

Brands A-Z

Drugs by categories

Drugs by manufacturer

Drugs by packager

Antibiotics for sale

Online Viagra bestellen in Nederland

Home / Drugs / Starting with F / Famciclovir
 
Famciclovir
 

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).
BrandsFamvir
CategoriesAntiviral Agents
Prodrugs
Nucleosides and Nucleotides
ManufacturersTeva pharmaceuticals usa
Novartis pharmaceuticals corp
PackagersApotheca Inc.
Murfreesboro Pharmaceutical Nursing Supply
Novartis AG
Novopharm Ltd.
Nucare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Pharmaceutical Utilization Management Program VA Inc.
Physicians Total Care Inc.
Redpharm Drug
Resource Optimization and Innovation LLC
Southwood Pharmaceuticals
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
SynonymsFamciclovirum [INN-Latin]
FCV

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.

mechanism of action

Famciclovir undergoes rapid biotransformation to the active antiviral compound penciclovir, which has inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) and varicella zoster virus (VZV). In cells infected with HSV-1, HSV-2 or VZV, viral thymidine kinase phosphorylates penciclovir to a monophosphate form that, in turn, is converted to penciclovir triphosphate by cellular kinases. In vitro studies demonstrate that penciclovir triphosphate inhibits HSV-2 DNA polymerase competitively with deoxyguanosine triphosphate. Consequently, herpes viral DNA synthesis and, therefore, replication are selectively inhibited.

toxicity

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

biotransformation

Hepatic

absorption

77 %

half life

10 hours

route of elimination

Active tubular secretion contributes to the renal elimination of penciclovir.