How it Works
Just like in the treatment of recurrent genital herpes FAMVIR interferes with herpes virus reproduction to help minimize cold sore pain and tenderness and heal blisters.
For cold sores, take a single dose of three 500-mg tablets at the first sign or symptom of an outbreak (within 1 hour).
Prescription oral FAMVIR may help shingles lesions heal faster for many people. In one clinical study, patients taking FAMVIR saw their shingles lesions heal almost 30% faster than people taking a sugar pill.
In addition, for many people age 50 or older, prescription oral FAMVIR may significantly shorten the duration of PHN, reducing the number of days you have pain. The people who took FAMVIR started taking the medication within 72 hours (3 days) after the shingles rash appeared.
In a clinical study of FAMVIR, many patients were able to
- Stop or shorten an outbreak
- Shorten the duration of symptoms, including pain, buring, itching, tingling, and tendernes
FAMVIR is rated by the FDA as Pregnancy Category B. This means that, while studies have not been done in humans, studies with pregnant animals have shown that FAMVIR did not demonstrate any risk to the fetus in any trimester. As always, if you are pregnant or considering getting pregnant, you should discuss the risks and benefits of taking any medication with your physician.
FAMVIR is not a cure for herpes. If you are sexually active, you can still pass herpes to your partner even if you are taking FAMVIR. Herpes can be transmitted even if you do not have active symptoms.