FAMVIR 125, 250, 500 and 750 mg Tablets
(famciclovir)
What you need to know about Famvir Tablets
Your doctor has decided that you need this medicine to help treat your condition.
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. It contains important information. Keep the leaflet in a safe place because you may want to read it again.
If you have any other questions, or if there is something you don’t understand, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine has been prescribed for you. Never give it to someone else. It may not be the right medicine for them even if their symptoms seem to be the same as yours.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1. What Famvir Tablets are, and what they are used for
- 2. Things to consider before you start to take Famvir Tablets
- 3. How to take Famvir Tablets
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Famvir Tablets
- 6. Further information
What Famvir Tablets Are And What They Are Used For
Famciclovir, the active ingredient in Famvir Tablets, is an antiviral medicine. It stops some Herpes viruses multiplying and spreading within your body.
Famvir Tablets are used to treat attacks of Herpes zoster infections (shingles) or Herpes simplex infections (genital herpes). They are available in four different strengths.
Things To Consider Before You Start To Take Famvir Tablets
Some people MUST NOT take Famvir Tablets. Talk to your doctor if:
- you think you may be allergic to famciclovir, or to any of the other ingredients of Famvir Tablets. (These are listed at the end of the leaflet.)
- you know that you are allergic to another antiviral called penciclovir.
You should also ask yourself these questions before taking Famvir Tablets:
- Are you pregnant or trying to become pregnant?
- Will you be breast-feeding your baby whilst you are taking the tablets?
- Do you have any kidney problems?
- Do you have an inherited intolerance to some sugars such as lactose? Famvir 125 mg and 250 mg tablets contain a small amount of lactose.
- Do you have any liver problems?
If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist because Famvir Tablets might not be the right medicine for you.
Children should not normally be given Famvir Tablets.
- You should not have sexual intercourse while you have symptoms of genital herpes to avoid infecting your partner. The virus can be transmitted even if you are using a condom.
Are you taking other medicines?
Always tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking. This means medicines you have bought yourself as well as medicines on prescription from your doctor.
This is especially important if the medicine you are taking can affect your kidneys, e.g. probenecid, or if the medicines you are taking is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis e.g. raloxifene.
Your doctor or pharmacist will know if it is safe to take Famvir Tablets as well.
Will there be any problems with driving or using machinery?
Very occasionally people have reported that Famvir Tablets have made them feel dizzy, sleepy or confused or to have hallucinations. If you are affected in this way, you should not drive or operate machinery.
How To Take Famvir Tablets
The doctor will decide what dose of Famvir Tablets you should take. Always take the tablets exactly as your doctor has told you to. The dose will be on the pharmacist’s label. Check the label carefully. It should tell you how many tablets to take, and how often. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Keep taking the tablets for as long as you have been told unless you have any problems. In that case, check with your doctor.
- Swallow each tablet whole. You can take them with a drink if it helps. Famvir Tablets can be taken with or without food.
- Try to start treatment as soon as possible after the tingling sensation starts or after the rash or blisters appear.
- Take the tablets at about the same time every day.
For the treatment of shingles:
The usual dose is 750 mg a day for seven days. You may be told to take
- one 750 mg tablet, or
- three 250 mg tablets once a day, or
- one 250 mg tablet three times a day.
You may be told to take a different dose if you have problems with your immune system.
For the treatment of genital herpes:
For the first attack
- Take 250 mg three times a day for five days.
For any following attack
- Take 125 mg twice a day for five days, or
- 500 mg twice a day for seven days if you have problems with your immune system.
To prevent attacks of genital herpes:
- Take 250 mg tablets twice a day for as long as the doctor tells you. People with HIV infection may be told to take 500 mg twice a day.
If your kidneys are not working very well, your doctor may reduce the dose of Famvir Tablets you take, if appropriate. Your doctor will give you special instructions if you are on kidney dialysis.
You do not need to take a different dose if you are elderly or have stable liver problems.
What if you forget to take a dose?
If you miss taking a Famvir Tablet, do not worry. Take it as soon as you remember. Take your next tablet at the usual time, then carry on as normal until you have finished all the tablets. It is important that you finish all the tablets you have been given unless your doctor tells you to stop taking them.
What if you take too many tablets?
All tablets can be risky if you take too many. If you take too many Famvir Tablets at once, tell your doctor or hospital casualty department as soon as possible. Take your pack of tablets with you so that people can see what you have taken.
Possible Side Effects
Famvir Tablets are suitable for most people, but, like all medicines, they can sometimes cause side effects. With Famvir Tablets the side effects are usually mild.
Some side effects could be serious
Stop taking the tablets and tell your doctor immediately or go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital if any of the following side effects occur:
- Severe blistering of the skin and/or mucous membranes of the lips, eyes, mouth, nasal passages or genitals (signs of serious skin reactions)
- Unexplained bruising, reddish or purplish patches on the skin or nosebleeds (these may be signs of a decrease in the number of blood platelets, those cells in the blood that help the blood to clot).
The side effects listed below have also been reported.
Up to 1 in 1,000 people have experienced:
Headache, confusion and feeling sick.
Up to 1 in 10,000 people have experienced:
Dizziness, feeling sleepy or drowsy, hallucinations, vomiting, jaundice (a yellowing of the eyes and/or skin due to liver problems), abnormal liver function test results, rash, itching and a skin rash with raised wheals (possibly due to allergic reaction).
If any of the symptoms become troublesome, or if you notice anything else not mentioned here, please go and see your doctor. He/she may want to give you a different medicine.
How To Store Famvir Tablets
Store Famvir Tablets in their original pack. Do not store above 30ºC.
Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not take the tablets after their expiry date which is printed on the outside of the pack.
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Famvir Tablets, please take any unused tablets back to your pharmacist to be destroyed. Do not throw them away with your normal household water or waste. This will help to protect the environment.
Further Information
Famvir Tablets are available in four strengths.
Famvir 125 mg Tablets are round, white tablets marked FAMVIR or FV on one side, and 125 on the other, and they contain 125 mg of the active ingredient famciclovir. They also contain the inactive ingredients hydroxypropylcellulose, lactose, sodium starch glycollate and magnesium stearate. The film coat contains hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, titanium dioxide (E171) and polyethylene glycol. They come in blister packs of 10 tablets.
Famvir 250 mg Tablets are round, white tablets marked FAMVIR or FV on one side, and 250 on the other, and they contain 250 mg of the active ingredient famciclovir. They also contain the inactive ingredients hydroxypropylcellulose, lactose, sodium starch glycollate and magnesium stearate. The film coat contains hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, titanium dioxide (E171) and polyethylene glycol. They come in blister packs of 3, 15, 21 or 56 tablets.
Famvir 500 mg Tablets are oval, white tablets marked FAMVIR 500 or ORAVIR 500 or FV 500 on one side, and they contain 500 mg of the active ingredient famciclovir. They also contain the inactive ingredients hydroxypropylcellulose, sodium starch glycollate and magnesium stearate. The film coat contains hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, titanium dioxide (E171) and polyethylene glycol. They come in blister packs of 14, 30 and 56 tablets.
Famvir 750 mg Tablets are oval, white tablets marked FAMVIR 750 or FV 750 on one side, and they contain 750 mg of the active ingredient famciclovir. They also contain the inactive ingredients hydroxypropylcellulose, sodium starch glycollate and magnesium stearate. The film coat contains hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, titanium dioxide (E171) and polyethylene glycol. They come in blister packs of 7 tablets. There is also a starter pack containing 1 tablet.
Not all pack sizes are marketed.
The product licence holder is
Famvir Tablets are made by
This leaflet was revised in February 2009.
If you would like any more information, or would like the leaflet in a different format, please contact Medical Information at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, telephone number 01276 698370.
FAMVIR is a registered trademark
Copyright Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited
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