Famciclovir 250 mg (Famciclovir)

Adult dose

1. Treatment of herpes zoster Adults: Administer famciclovir 250 mg per dose orally 3 times daily for 7 days. It is preferable to start treatment as soon as symptoms appear after infection. 2. Treatment of an initial episode of genital herpes Adults: Administer this medicine 250 mg per dose orally 3 times daily for 5 days. It is preferable to start treatment as soon as symptoms appear after infection. 3. Treatment of acute recurrent genital herpes Adults: Administer this medicine 125 mg per dose orally 2 times daily for 5 days. It is preferable to start treatment during the prodromal period or as soon as symptoms appear after infection. 4. Suppression of recurrent genital herpes Adults: Administer this medicine 250 mg per dose orally 2 times daily. Discontinue treatment periodically every 6～12 months to observe whether the natural course of the disease has changed. 5. Patients with renal impairment: Because the clearance of this medicine is reduced in patients with renal impairment, dose adjustment should be undertaken with care. The dosage for these patients is as follows. 1) Treatment of herpes zoster and an initial episode of genital herpes: Creatinine clearance (mL/min/1.73㎡) Dose 30～59 250 mg per dose 2 times daily 10～29 250 mg per dose once daily 2) Treatment of acute recurrent genital herpes: Creatinine clearance (mL/min/1.73㎡) Dose 30～59 125 mg per dose 2 times daily 10～29 125 mg per dose once daily 3) Suppression of recurrent genital herpes infection: Creatinine clearance (mL/min/1.73㎡) Dose 30～59 250 mg per dose 2 times daily 10～29 125 mg per dose 2 times daily 4) If only the serum creatinine is known, creatinine clearance can be calculated using the following formulas. Men: {Body weight (kg) × (140-age)}/ {72 × serum creatinine (mg/dL)} Women: 0.85 × the value calculated for men 5) Patients with renal impairment undergoing hemodialysis For patients on hemodialysis, it is preferable to administer this medicine every 48 hours, taking the dialysis interval into account. Hemodialysis for 4 hours reduces the plasma concentration of this medicine by approximately 75%; therefore, administer this medicine immediately after dialysis. The recommended dose is 250 mg for patients with herpes zoster and 125 mg for patients with genital herpes. 6. Patients with hepatic impairment: No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with chronic compensated liver disease. There is insufficient treatment experience in patients with overt chronic decompensated liver disease; therefore, a clear recommended dose has not been established.

This medicine should not be used in certain patients. It should not be administered to patients who are allergic to this medicine or its ingredients. It also contains lactose, so it should not be used in patients with lactose intolerance or certain genetic metabolic disorders. Patients with renal function impairment need to exercise caution when using this medicine. While taking this medicine, symptoms such as headache or nausea may occur, but they are usually mild. Problems related to blood may cause a decrease in platelet or white blood cell counts, and neurological symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and rarely, hallucinations or seizures may occur. Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are frequently reported, and liver function test abnormalities or, rarely, jaundice may occur. Skin rashes or itching are common, and rarely, serious skin reactions or allergic reactions such as vasculitis have been reported. Acute renal failure may rarely occur in patients with impaired renal function, so caution is advised. If symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, or confusion occur while taking this medicine, it is advisable to avoid driving or operating machinery. In patients with mild to moderate liver dysfunction, special dosage adjustments are usually not required, but in severe liver dysfunction patients, the effectiveness may decrease. This medicine has a low likelihood of interactions with other drugs; however, caution is necessary as blood concentration may change when used in combination with certain medications. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should only use this medicine when the benefit of treatment clearly outweighs the risks. Breastfeeding women should also use this medicine only when it is necessary. It is advisable not to use this medicine in children under 18 years of age as safety and efficacy have not been established. Generally, elderly patients do not need dosage adjustments, but caution may be necessary if renal function is impaired. In case of overdose, appropriate treatment should be provided, and if necessary, hemodialysis can be performed to reduce drug concentration. This medicine should be stored in a dry place below 30 degrees Celsius and kept out of reach of children. Transferring to other containers is not good for maintaining the quality of the medicine, so care should be taken.

• Headache
• nausea
• thrombocytopenia
• leukopenia
• neutropenia
• dizziness
• confusion
• drowsiness
• hallucinations
• seizures

This medicine should be stored in a tightly sealed container to prevent exposure to air or moisture, preferably in a cool place below 30 degrees Celsius. Storing it this way will help maintain its effectiveness.

Appearance

White round film-coated tablet

Package unit

21 tablets/bottle