Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: FAMCICLOVIR versus HERPLEX.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: FAMCICLOVIR versus HERPLEX.
FAMCICLOVIR vs HERPLEX
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Famciclovir is a prodrug of penciclovir, which inhibits viral DNA polymerase by competing with deoxyguanosine triphosphate, thus inhibiting viral DNA replication. It has activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV-1, HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Inhibits viral DNA polymerase after phosphorylation to acyclovir triphosphate, leading to chain termination and inhibition of herpes simplex virus replication.
500 mg orally three times daily for 7 days for herpes zoster; 125 mg twice daily for 5 days for recurrent genital herpes; 250 mg three times daily for 7 days for first-episode genital herpes; 500 mg twice daily for 7 days for recurrent herpes labialis.
Acyclovir 200 mg orally 5 times daily for 10 days for initial genital herpes; 400 mg orally twice daily for suppressive therapy; 5-10 mg/kg IV every 8 hours for severe infections.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateFamciclovir + Sulfisoxazole
"The metabolism of Sulfisoxazole can be decreased when combined with Famciclovir."
Clinical Note
moderateFamciclovir + Erythromycin
"The metabolism of Erythromycin can be decreased when combined with Famciclovir."
Clinical Note
moderateFamciclovir + Cyclosporine
"The metabolism of Cyclosporine can be decreased when combined with Famciclovir."
Clinical Note
moderateFamciclovir + Fluconazole
Terminal half-life of penciclovir is 2-3 hours in healthy adults, prolonged to 3-6 hours in hepatic impairment and >20 hours in severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min), requiring dose adjustment.
2.5–3.3 hours in adults with normal renal function; prolonged to 10–20 hours in anuria (CrCl <10 mL/min); requires dose adjustment in renal impairment
Renal elimination: ~60% as penciclovir (active metabolite) and <10% as unchanged famciclovir; biliary/fecal: <5%; the remainder is metabolized to inactive compounds.
Renal: ~90% as unchanged drug via glomerular filtration and tubular secretion; minor biliary/fecal elimination (<2%)
Category A/B
Category C
Antiviral
Antiviral
"The metabolism of Fluconazole can be decreased when combined with Famciclovir."