Famcimac 250 (Famciclovir 250mg)

Famcimac general information

What is Famcimac used for?

Famcimac tablets 250mg are used to treat infections of the skin and mucous membranes caused by herpes virus.  These infections include initial and recurrent genital herpes in immunocompetent adults, caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV); also recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompromised adults (due to HIV infection) and to prevent recurrence in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised adults.  Genital herpes is usually spread by sexual contact with symptoms including blisters and sores with burning or itching around the genitals and is usually caused by HSV-1 but can be caused by HSV- 1 or HSV-2.  Famcimac tablets 250mg are also used to treat shingles (herpes zoster), including ophthalmic zoster in the area around the eye or of the eye itself, caused by Varicella Zoster Virus, (VZV) a Herpes-like virus that also causes chickenpox (also called HSV-3).  Herpes zoster causes a painful blistering rash on any part of the body, including the eyes.  Symptoms of HSV and VZV infection can also include feeling unwell, fever and headache.  HSV and VZV can exist in latent form after the initial infection has cleared and the blisters and sores healed, by travelling down the nerves in the skin where they can become dormant for long periods.  HSV remains latent in the sensory ganglia of the central nervous system that supplies the skin and VZV remains latent in the dorsal root ganglia of the spine.  The virus can then become reactivated by various factors including pressure on the nerve roots, stress, infection, minor trauma and ultraviolet radiation from the sun, to travel back up the nerves and re-infect the skin cells at the end of the nerve.  Famcimac tablets 250mg help relieve painful symptoms and help heal blisters and sores caused by the infection and can also help prevent recurrence of infection with HSV and VZV.

How does Famcimac work?

Famcimac tablets 250mg contain famciclovir, an antiviral drug that is used to treat genital herpes and shingles.  Famciclovir in Famcimac tablets 250mg is the prodrug of penciclovir and is rapidly converted into penciclovir, which is highly effective against HSV-I, HSV-II and VZV, which are double stranded DNA viruses.  Penciclovir is a nucleoside analog that inhibits the viral DNA polymerase enzyme in virus-infected cells.  A viral enzyme called thymidine kinase (TK) converts penciclovir to a form that is in turn converted to penciclovir triphosphate by cellular kinases (enzymes that transfers phosphate groups).  This penciclovir triphosphate persists in infected cells for about 10 hours and inhibits the action of the viral DNA polymerase enzyme and this blocks viral DNA synthesis and inhibits replication of viral DNA, without affecting normal cellular processes.  The action of famciclovir in Famcimac tablets 250mg (after conversion to penciclovir triphosphate) prevents the virus replicating and therefore stops the growth and spread of the virus, relieving symptoms of the infection and allowing the immune system to fight the infection.  Since the activation of famciclovir in Famcimac tablets 250mg depends on the presence of a viral enzyme, cells that are not infected with virus are not likely to be affected. 

What does Famcimac contain?

Famcimac tablets 250mg contain the active ingredient famciclovir, a prodrug of penciclovir, an antiviral drug that is used to treat genital herpes and shingles. 

Treating genital herpes with Famcimac

Famcimac tablets 250mg contain famciclovir, an antiviral drug that is used to treat initial and recurrent genital herpes in immunocompetent adults, caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV); also recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompromised adults (due to HIV infection) and to prevent recurrence in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised adults.  Genital herpes is usually spread by sexual contact with symptoms including blisters and sores with burning or itching around the genitals and is usually caused by HSV-1 but can also be caused by HSV-2.  The virus can remain latent in the nerve cells causing reinfection later.  Famciclovir in Famcimac tablets 250mg is the prodrug of penciclovir and is rapidly converted into penciclovir, which is highly effective against HSV-I and HSV-II, which are double stranded DNA viruses and works by blocking the action of viral DNA polymerase enzyme in virus-infected cells.  This action of famciclovir in Famcimac tablets prevents the virus replicating and therefore, stops the growth and spread of the virus, relieving symptoms of the infection and allowing the immune system to fight the infection.  Famcimac tablets 250mg help relieve painful symptoms and help heal blisters and sores caused by the infection and can also help prevent recurrence of infection. 

Famcimac for shingles

Famcimac tablets 250mg contain famciclovir, an antiviral drug that is used to treat shingles (herpes zoster), including ophthalmic zoster in the area around the eye or of the eye itself, caused by Varicella Zoster Virus, (VZV) a Herpes-like virus that also causes chickenpox (also called HSV-3).  Herpes zoster causes a painful blistering rash on any part of the body, including the eyes.  The virus can remain latent in the nerve cells causing reinfection later.  Famciclovir in Famcimac tablets 250mg is the prodrug of penciclovir and is rapidly converted in to penciclovir, which is highly effective against HSV-I and HSV-II, which are double stranded DNA viruses and works by blocking the action of viral DNA polymerase enzyme in virus-infected cells.  This action of famciclovir in Famcimac tablets prevents the virus replicating and therefore, stops the growth and spread of the virus, relieving symptoms of the infection and allowing the immune system to fight the infection.  Famcimac tablets 250mg help relieve painful symptoms and help heal blisters and sores caused by the infection and can also help prevent recurrence of infection. 

What are the side effects of Famcimac?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Famcimac tablets 250mg include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness, rash, itching.

When should Famcimac not be used?

You should not use Famcimac tablets 250mg if you:

• are allergic to famciclovir or any ingredients in Famcimac
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Famcimac probenecid for gout, diuretics for fluid retention, raloxifene for osteoporosis

How should Famcimac be taken?

You should take your Famcimac tablets 250mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food, two to three times daily for 5-7 days, depending on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation.  You should start your treatment as soon as possible after first signs of symptoms and continue to take your Famcimac tablets 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Famcimac?

You should start your treatment as soon as possible after first signs of symptoms and continue to take your Famcimac tablets 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Famcimac

If you miss a dose of Famcimac tablets 250mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Famcimac be stored?

You should store your Famcimac below 25°C in a cool dry place.