Famvir (Famciclovir)

Prescription medicineOnly Available By Prescription
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Strength Pack Size Qty
Strength
500mg
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Strength
125mg
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Strength
250mg
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Top Generic choice

Strength Pack Size Qty
Strength
125mg
Pack Size
Qty
Strength
250mg
Pack Size
Qty
Strength
500mg
Pack Size
Qty

You'll have option to make 4 interest-free payments by credit card once your order is confirmed using

What if I find a lower price with another pharmacy?

We guarantee the lowest price on all of our prescription products. If you find your medications cheaper at any other recognized licensed mail order pharmacy, we will not only match their price, we will beat it by 25% of the difference. It is our 125% price match guarantee!

Example: If you find a product on Canada Drugs Direct for $50.00 and find the same product for $40.00 at another mail order pharmacy, we will provide you with a $12.50 discount, bringing your total to $37.50.

To get the discount please make sure to mention the price match to the customer service team when they call to collect payment for your order. Or call toll free at 1-888-904-8467 to place the order through the phone.

Terms & Conditions of Program

  • Guaranteed lowest price is only valid at the time of sale.
  • We will only match the current advertised price.
  • Products must be identical and in stock at the time of placing an order with a licensed mail order pharmacy. They must be an online Canadian pharmacy with an address in Canada.
  • Products must be authentic in brand and size (same manufacturer, same country of manufacture, same pack size, same strength and same quantity).
  • Products must be new. We cannot match the price of any used, short expiry or expired product.
  • Price match can only be issued over the phone with our customer service team. Please note at this time we cannot offer price matching for the products Ozempic or Saxenda.
What is a Generic Drug?

A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.

Description

Your healthcare provider may have prescribed Famvir for the treatment of one or more of the following: 

  • Prevention of herpes simplex infection
  • Treatment of herpes simplex infection
  • Treatment of herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Treatment of varicella infection in patients with HIV

Famvir is available by prescription only. It belongs to the class of medications called antivirals and slows or stops the replication of certain viruses.

Famvir works by converting to the active form penciclovir once it has entered the body. The herpes virus uses the protein HSV-2 polymerase to replicate its genetic material for incorporation into host cells. Penciclovir incorporates into HSV-2 polymerase and prevents it from working.

Fact Table

Formula

C14H19N5O4

License

US FDA

Bioavailability

75–77%

Legal status

Rx-only

Chemical Name

Famciclovir

Elimination half-life

2–2.3 hours

Dosage (Strength)

125mg, 250mg, 500mg

Pregnancy

Consult Doctor

Brands

Famvir

Protein binding

20–25%

PubChem CID

3324

MedlinePlus

a694038

ChEBI

4974

ATC code

J05AB09

DrugBank

DB00426

KEGG

D00317

Routes of administration

Oral

Directions

The dosage of Famvir is determined based on the virus and the location of the infection. Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take Famvir with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. 

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Famvir is famciclovir.

Interactions

There are only a few drug-drug interactions with Famvir, and they include the following:

  • Cladribine
  • Talimogene Laherparepvec
  • Varicella Virus Vaccine
  • Zoster Vaccine

Cautions

Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of kidney problems. Since Famvir is removed through the kidneys, the dose may need to be adjusted.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are lactose intolerant. Famvir tablets contain lactose.

Side Effects

The most common adverse reactions to this medication include:

  • Abnormal hepatic function tests
  • Anaphylactic shock
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Anemia
  • Angioedema 
  • Cholestatic jaundice
  • Confusion
  • Delirium
  • Diarrhea
  • Disorientation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Erythema multiforme
  • Eyelid edema
  • Facial edema
  • Fatigue
  • Flatulence
  • Hallucination
  • Headache
  • Hypersensitivity angiitis
  • Increased serum ALT
  • Increased serum AST
  • Increased serum bilirubin
  • Leukopenia
  • Migraine
  • Nausea
  • Neutropenia
  • Palpitations
  • Paresthesia
  • Periorbital edema
  • Pharyngeal edema
  • Pruritus
  • Seizure
  • Skin Rash
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • Urticaria
  • Vomiting

References

Famvir [package insert]. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.; 2006.



IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.

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