Zovirax vs. Famvir
- Are Zovirax and Famvir the Same Thing?
- What Are Possible Side Effects of Zovirax?
- What Are Possible Side Effects of Famvir?
- What Is Zovirax?
- What Is Famvir?
- What Drugs Interact with Zovirax?
- What Drugs Interact with Famvir?
- How Should Zovirax Be Taken?
- How Should Famvir Be Taken?
Are Zovirax and Famvir the Same Thing?
Zovirax (acyclovir) and Famvir (famciclovir) are antiviral medications that interfere with the replication of herpes viruses used to treat shingles, chickenpox, and genital herpes.
What Are Possible Side Effects of Zovirax?
Common side effects of Zovirax include:
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- diarrhea,
- loss of appetite,
- stomach pain,
- headache,
- lightheadedness,
- swelling in your hands and feet,
- and feeling unwell (malaise).
What Are Possible Side Effects of Famvir?
Common side effects of Famvir include:
- headache,
- nausea,
- stomach pain,
- gas,
- diarrhea,
- tired feeling,
- dizziness,
- sleepiness,
- itching or skin rash, or
- numbness or tingly feeling.
Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Famvir including:
- mental/mood changes (such as agitation, slowed thinking, confusion, hallucinations),
- changes in the amount of urine,
- yellowing eyes or skin, or
- easy bruising or bleeding.
What Is Zovirax?
Zovirax (acyclovir) is a synthetic nucleoside analogue that interferes with the replication of herpes viruses used to treat:
- shingles,
- chickenpox,
- and genital herpes.
What Is Famvir?
Famvir (famciclovir) is an antiviral drug used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chicken pox.
What Drugs Interact With Zovirax?
Zovirax may interact with probenecid. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
What Drugs Interact With Famvir?
Before taking Famvir, tell your doctor if you are also taking probenecid (Benemid). If you are using probenecid, you may not be able to use Famvir, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
How Should Zovirax Be Taken?
Zovirax tablets are available in 200, 400 and 800 mg strengths and as a liquid suspension with 200 mg strength per 5 ml. Usual doses are 800 mg every 4 hours, 5 times a day for 10 days for shingles; doses for genital herpes infection are the same interval but start with 200 mg. Doses for chickenpox is the same as shingles except it goes for only 5 days for adults; for children ages 2 and up are weight based (20 mg per Kg) up to 40 Kg, 5 times a day for 5 days. Over 40 Kg, the person gets the adult dose for 5 days.
How Should Famvir Be Taken?
Dosing for Famvir varies. The recommended doses are: recurrent genital herpes: 1,000 mg every 12 hours for one day; recurrent cold sores: 1,500 mg as a single dose; suppression of recurrent genital herpes: 250 mg twice daily; shingles: 500 mg every 8 hours for 7 days; and HIV-infected patients (cold sores or genital herpes): 500 mg twice daily for 7 days.
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