College of Nursing
School Year2009 – 2010
Submitted to:
Mrs. Melanie Bustamante, RN
Mrs. Ivy R. Go
Clinical Instructor
Submitted by:
Mae Shiela Vivares
BSN – 2
Famciclovir (famvir)
Acyclovir has been considered as the drug of choice for treating herpes
infections. However, acyclovir has limited oral bioavailability (10%-20%) and
short intracellular half-life (less than one hour). To overcome these limitation
more bioavailable anti- herpes agents such as famciclovir and valaciclovir
were developed.
Famciclovir
Famciclovir is a prodrug (diacetyl 6-deoxy derivative) of penciclovir.
Famciclovir is rapidly absorbed following oral administration with an absolute
bioavailability of 77%. Prolonged intracellular half life has also been
demonstrated in cells infecting with HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV. Thus famciclovir
has been introduced as anti-herpes virus agent with the much improve
pharmacokinetics and bioavailability profile compared to acyclovir.
Mechanism of Action
Clinical Indication
Side Effects
Famciclovir was well tolerated in adult clinical trials for HSV and VZV
infections. The most common adverse effect was headache, nausea and
diarrhea. Other reported adverse effects are vomiting and abdominal pain.
These reported effects were not serious and were comparable in incidence of
placebo group. No differences in adverse effects were noted between
acyclovir and famciclovir. Famciclovir is not recommended for use during
pregnancy.
Contraindication/ precaution
Reactions
Herpes virus has been spreading in all over the world. Many people
had this virus because it transmits via sexual activity, sharing of things from
the others; contaminated needles etc. herpes simplex viruses are mutated as
the years go by so the viruses obtain resistance to some drugs that can treat
herpes. So the doctors developed new antiviral agents for herpes virus to
enhance its effectiveness and block the replication of viruses in the host.
Reference
Book
Websites
• http://www.rxlist.com/famvir-drug.htm