Famvir Once (Famciclovir) Cold Sore Treatment

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BY THE MANUFACTURER & IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. For an alternative brand of this medicine, please click here.

Active Ingredients

Each tablet contains Famciclovir 500mg.

Inactive Ingredients

Hypromellose (E 464), Hydroxypropylcellulose (E 463), Macrogol, Magnesium Stearate (E 572), Sodium Starch Glycollate, Titanium Dioxide (E 171). Famvir Once does NOT contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

Product Description

Famvir Once is the first single dose, anti-viral tablet treatment for cold sores in New Zealand. Each box of Famvir Once contains 3 tablets which is one dose.

Famvir Once is an anti-viral medicine used to treat recurrent outbreaks of cold sores in adults who have a normal immune system (the body system which fights against harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi.)

Cold sores are an infection caused by a virus called herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1). The infection is most commonly acquired as a baby or child from contact with parents or relatives, often from kissing. Cold sores usually begin on or around the lips, mouth, and nose as small red bumps that turn into fluid-filled blisters. Cold sores can be tender and painful. Many people who get cold sores know when one is coming by a tingling, burning, itchy or painful sensation or redness in the area. This can happen very rapidly. After redness and swelling develop, blisters form. The blisters may weep or burst and this can be painful. Then a shallow ulcer and yellow crust form as the cold sore dries. The crust eventually falls off, exposing new pink-coloured skin. Generally the cold sores heal without scarring. After the initial infection has healed, the virus becomes dormant in nerve cells.

Cold sores can be unpredictable. The virus can become active again in the body, even after many years, resulting in recurrent outbreaks. Some common triggers to a cold sore may include sun exposure, stress, fatigue, menstrual periods, fever, illness, dry chapped lips, skin trauma or a cold.

Although Famvir Once does not cure the viral infection, it helps to relieve the symptoms and shorten the duration of an outbreak. The best results are obtained if the medicine is started as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms of a cold sore, such as tingling, itching or burning, or the appearance of the first signs, such as redness or swelling. This is when the virus is reproducing rapidly.

Dosage

Adults: 1 dose = 3 tablets. Take as a single dose with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.

Warnings and Cautions

Do NOT use Famvir Once:

• If you have an allergy to any of the ingredients.
• If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• If you have problems with your kidneys, liver or immune system.
• If you are diabetic.
• To treat children or adolescents under 18 years of age.