User:Mr. Ibrahem/Famciclovir

Famciclovir, sold under the brand name Famvir among others, is an antiviral used to treat herpes zoster (shingles) and herpes simplex. It is used for genital herpes as well as cold sores and may be used to treat active outbreaks and to prevent outbreaks. It is taken by mouth.

Common side effects include headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Lower doses may be used in people with kidney problems. While there is no evidence of harm in pregnancy, such use has not been well studied. It is a prodrug of penciclovir. This results in a guanosine analogue which blocks viral DNA polymerase.

Famciclovir was patented in 1983 and approved for medical use in 1994. It is available as a generic medication. In the United Kingdom 14 tablets of 500 mg costs the NHS about £280 as of 2021. This amount in the United States is about 16 USD.