General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Microvir tab (Micro Gratia)
Famtrex film-coated tab (Cipla)
Famciclovir is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Famciclovir is pronounced as: fam SYE klo veer
Famiciclovir is an anti infective / anti viral drug.
Famciclovir is used in treatment of
- In the prophylaxis of herpes in immune compromised individuals.
- Take famciclovir exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
- Famciclovir is available as tablet, and injection. Your doctor will prescribe it depending on the condition and severity of the disease.
- Take oral dose regularly as advised with one full glass of water. Take plenty of oral fluids when on famciclovir medication.
- Do not skip any doses. Continue to take it even when you feel better. You must complete the entire course of medication.
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any prescription drugs like probenecid (antigout drug) or OTC.
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical conditions as famciclovir should be used cautiously in the below mentioned conditions
- Renal impairment
- Patient on dialysis
- Liver disease
- Lactose deficiency & galactose intolerance
Do not take famiciclovir if you have galactose intolerance or in kidney disease.
Children:
Old people:
Pregnant woman: Famiciclovir belongs to FDA pregnancy category B. This means that famiciclovir is safe during pregnancy and is not expected to cause any harm to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether famiciclovir passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take famiciclovir with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding baby.
Other:
Famiciclovir is available in the form of tablet.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease. Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
For detailed dosage information, consult your doctor, as your doctor will prescribe depending on the condition and severity of the disease
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency centre immediately for immediate care of physician. Overdose symptoms of Famciclovir are not known.
Famciclovir may cause following side effects like
When to consult the health expert about the side effects of famiciclovir
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Decrease in the quantity of urine
Store famciclovir at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any left over portion is disposed off safely.
- Famciclovir causes drowsiness. Therefore avoid activities which require you to be alert.
- Famciclovir medication does not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Therefore avoid contact with affected individual or use barrier contraceptives like condom, diaphragm
- Herpes infection is very contagious. It is very important to avoid contact with the affected area to prevent infection from spreading to other. In case you touch the affected area wash your hands immediately with a disinfectant solution.
- Your doctor may advise you to take renal function test like serum creatinine, BUN, blood urea to monitor your kidney function before and after the treatment
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: November 22, 2011