Famvir FAQ |
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Q. WHAT IS GENITAL HERPES ?
A. Genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease, is an infection that is caused by the herpes
simplex virus. There are two types of herpes simplex viruses that can cause herpes. Herpes
simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) primarily causes oral herpes (cold sores). Herpes simplex virus
type 2 (HSV-2) primarily causes genital herpes.
Although HSV-1 causes the majority of oral herpes cases and HSV-2 causes the majority of genital
herpes cases, both of these viruses can cause oral herpes and genital herpes.
Q. WHAT IS FAMVIR ?
A. FAMVIR (famciclovir) is an oral antiviral prescription medication that is prescribed for :
- Treatment of recurrent genital herpes in otherwise healthy patients
- Suppression of recurrent genital herpes in otherwise healthy patients
- Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex virus infections (genital herpes and cold sores) in
HIV-infected patients (only oral drug approved in the U.S. for this use)
Q. HOW DOES FAMVIR WORK ?
A. Famvir is an antiviral agent. The active ingredient in Famvir enters the skin cells and
interferes with the reproduction of the virus.
Q. HOW IS FAMVIR PRESCRIBED ?
A. Famvir can be prescribed in one of three ways for genital herpes :
Episodic treatment - outbreaks of genital herpes are treated as they occur. The usual
dose of FAMVIR is one 125-mg tablet, twice a day, for 5 days.
Suppressive treatment - if patients have frequent or severe outbreaks, they take one
250-mg tablet, twice a day, for up to 1 year to suppress the genital herpes virus and help to
prevent outbreaks.
Patients with HIV - Famvir is the only prescription oral antiviral therapy indicated for
treating genital or orolabial herpes in people infected with HIV. In patients with herpes
simplex and HIV, the dose of Famvir is 500 mg, twice a day, for 7 days.
If a patient has impaired kidney function, his or her doctor will determine if Famvir is
appropriate and if so, what the right dose would be.
Q. IF I AM ON SUPPRESSIVE THERAPY AND I HAVE AN OUTBREAK WHAT DO I DO ?
A. Keep taking Famvir as prescribed by your doctor. If you have any concerns, contact your
healthcare provider.
Q. WHAT IS VIRAL SHEDDING ?
A. During viral shedding, the genital herpes virus is present on the skin and can be transmitted
to other people, even if the individual with herpes doesn't show any signs or symptoms.
Q. WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE FAMVIR FOR GENITAL HERPES ?
A. While there is no cure for genital herpes, one clinical study showed that episodic treatment
with prescription oral Famvir significantly relieved all of the symptoms of a genital herpes
outbreak. For many people, the duration of the symptoms associated with genital herpes, pain,
burning, itching and tenderness, was reduced. These same people also experienced a faster
healing of sores compared to those taking a sugar pill.
Many people on twice-daily suppressive therapy with Famvir may go almost a year without
experiencing an outbreak.
The efficacy of Famvir has not been established for the treatment of an initial outbreak of
genital herpes infection. The safety and efficacy of Famvir for suppressive therapy beyond 1
year of treatment have not been established.
Even with antiviral treatment, it is possible to spread the herpes virus to other people. There
is no cure for genital herpes.
Q. WHAT IS SUPPRESSIVE THERAPY ?
A. Suppressive therapy is a continuous daily therapy that may help prevent genital herpes
outbreaks. A doctor and patient may decide to treat genital herpes suppressively. Many people on
twice-daily suppressive therapy with Famvir may go almost a year without experiencing an
outbreak.
Q. CAN PATIENTS ON SUPPRESSIVE THERAPY STILL INFECT A PARTNER ?
A. Yes, even with antiviral treatment, it is possible to spread the herpes virus.
Q. ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO TREAT IN ADDITION TO SUPPRESSIVE THERAPY ?
A. Physicians can also treat their patients with episodic therapy. Episodic treatment means
taking medicine during an outbreak to relieve the symptoms and speed healing of the sores. One
clinical study showed that episodic treatment with prescription oral Famvir significantly
relieved all of the symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak compared to a sugar pill. For many
people, the duration of the symptoms associated with genital herpes, pain, burning, itching and
tenderness, was reduced. These same people also experienced a faster healing of sores compared
to those taking a sugar pill.
Q. DOES FAMVIR HAVE A FAVORABLE SAFETY PROFILE? ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?
A. Prescription oral antivirals such as Famvir are safe when taken as each outbreak occurs or as
continuous daily therapy. Famvir is not for everyone. In clinical studies with Famvir, the most
commonly reported side effects included headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Ask your doctor if
Famvir is right for you. If you have kidney problems, your doctor will determine if Famvir is
appropriate, and if so, what the right dose is for you.
The safety and efficacy of Famvir for suppressive therapy beyond 1 year of treatment have not
been established.
Q. IN WHAT STRENGTHS IS FAMVIR AVAILABLE ?
A. Famvir is available in tablets of 125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg.
Q. CAN FAMVIR BE TAKEN WITH OR WITHOUT FOOD ?
A. Yes.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF A PERSON IS INFECTED WITH GENITAL HERPES ?
A. After becoming infected with the genital herpes virus, it may take days, weeks, months, or
even years for any symptoms to appear. Because of this, it may be difficult to know when and
from whom the virus was contracted.
After becoming infected with genital herpes, people may experience a first outbreak that is so
mild it is barely noticeable. But some people have a severe outbreak within days of contracting
the genital herpes virus.
Q. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GENITAL HERPES ?
A. Symptoms of genital herpes vary and may include:
- A rash, bumps, blisters, cuts, or sores in or around the genital area (vagina, vulva, anus,
penis, or scrotum)
- Itching, burning, or tingling in or around the genital area
- Aches or pains in or around the genital area
- Discharge from the penis or vagina
- Burning and/or pain when urinating
- Flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, and swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the groin
Q. WHERE DO SYMPTOMS APPEAR ?
A. Genital herpes symptoms can appear in various areas of the body. Once a person has been
infected with the herpes virus, it lies dormant (inactive) in the bundle of nerves at the base
of the spine until it becomes active. Once the virus becomes active, it travels along nerve
paths to the surface of the skin, where it may cause an outbreak. The nerves in the buttocks,
genital area, and upper thighs are connected. Therefore an outbreak can occur on the anus,
buttocks, thigh, penis, scrotum, vagina, and/or vulva.
Q. WHAT IS THE INCIDENCE OF GENITAL HERPES ?
A. Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the U.S. An
estimated 50 million Americans have genital herpes, with 1 million Americans becoming infected
every year. According to the American Social Health Association (ASHA), 1 out of every 5 adults
has genital herpes.
Q. WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR INFECTION ?
A. Anyone who has had or is having sexual contact. Genital herpes is more common in women
(approximately 1 out of 4 women) than in men (almost 1 out of 5). This may be because male to
female transmission is more likely than female to male transmission.
Q. CAN SOMEONE HAVE GENITAL HERPES AND NOT KNOW IT ?
A. Yes, while the symptoms are often visible and painful, they can be subtle and often go
unrecognized. In fact, approximately 80% of people with genital herpes do not know they have the
virus.
Q. WHAT TRIGGERS AN OUTBREAK ?
A. Trigger factors may cause the genital herpes virus to become active. Trigger factors vary
from person to person and usually can't be avoided. Some triggers are believed to be injury,
sunlight, emotional stress, physical stress, menstrual cycle, another illness (especially with
fever), surgical trauma, steroidal medication (e.g., asthma medication), sexual intercourse, and
poor diet.
Q. HOW IS GENITAL HERPES DIAGNOSED ?
A. If you know you've been exposed to the genital herpes virus and you have the classic signs
(eg, painful, clustered blisters on top of red swollen skin), your doctor may make the diagnosis
based on this alone. However, in someone who does not have these signs or the diagnosis is
uncertain, there are two types of tests that can be used. A culture test looks for the presence
of genital herpes in cells taken from a sore. A blood test is used to measure the body's immune
response (antibodies) against the genital herpes virus.
Q. HOW IS GENITAL HERPES SPREAD FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER ?
A. Genital herpes is most often transmitted from person to person through sexual contact.
However, sexual penetration is not required for transmission. Genital herpes spreads from one
person to another when infected cells from someone with genital herpes are exposed to cells in
an uninfected person in an environment that contains heat and moisture (e.g., sexual contact).
Genital herpes can be spread in a variety of ways: mouth to vagina or penis (or vice versa),
finger to penis or vagina, penis to anus, or any combination of these.
Q. HOW IS GENITAL HERPES TREATED AND CAN IT BE CURED ?
A. Genital herpes is a lifelong disease. There is no cure for genital herpes. For many people,
antiviral treatments can minimize symptoms and speed healing of sores. Prescription oral
antiviral medication can be used in one of two ways to treat genital herpes. A patient's
physician will decide whether episodic treatment, taken when an outbreak occurs, or suppressive
treatment, taken daily to prevent outbreaks, is appropriate.
Q. WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GENITAL HERPES ?
A. People can call the National Herpes Hotline at
1-877-411-HERPES
(1-877-411-4377) for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions about Famvir & Genital Herpes.
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