About famciclovir

Famciclovir is used to treat infections caused by two common viruses - herpes zoster and herpes simplex. The herpes zoster virus is the cause of shingles. Herpes simplex viruses cause genital herpes. You will have been prescribed famciclovir to treat either shingles, or genital herpes. Famciclovir works by preventing viruses from multiplying, and this reduces the severity of the infection.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking famciclovir it is important that your doctor knows:

• Om du är gravid, försöker bli gravid eller ammar.

• Om du har några problem med hur din lever fungerar, eller om du har några problem med hur dina njurar fungerar.

• Om du tar eller använder några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

• Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about famciclovir, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Your dose will depend upon the type of infection you have, so take famciclovir exactly as your doctor tells you to. Typically, doses range from 250 mg to 750 mg, and doses are taken either one, two or three times daily. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you what dose is right for you, and this information will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you.

• Space out your doses evenly during the day. You can take famciclovir tablets either with or without food.

• Even if you feel your infection has cleared up, keep taking the tablets until the course is finished (unless your doctor tells you to stop sooner). This is to prevent the infection from coming back. A course of treatment usually lasts for around 5-10 days, although some people need to take famciclovir for only one day, and other people need a course lasting for several months. If you still feel unwell after finishing your course of treatment, go back to see your doctor.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue as before. Try to take the correct number of doses each day, but do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

• If you have been prescribed famciclovir for genital herpes, do not have sex while you have sores or blisters. Even after these have healed, there is still a small chance that you may pass on the virus when you have sex - using a condom reduces this risk.

• If you are having an operation or any other medical treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking famciclovir.
  

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the more common ones associated with famciclovir. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Om du upplever några andra symtom som du tror kan bero på medicinen, tala med din läkare eller apotekare för vidare råd.

• Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

• Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.