Dosing and uses of Denavir (penciclovir)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
cream
- 0.1%
Treatment of Recurrent Herpes Labialis (Cold Sores)
At first onset of symptoms apply q2hr while awake x4 days
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
cream
- 0.1%
Treatment of Recurrent Herpes Labialis (Cold Sores)
>12 years old: At first onset of symptoms apply q2hr while awake x4 days
Denavir (penciclovir) adverse (side) effects
1-10%
Application site reaction (1.3%)
Headache (5.3%)
<1%
Hypesthesia/local anesthesia
Rash
Taste perversion
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Cautions
Use gloves to apply because may inoculate other areas
External use only
Lips/face only
NOT in or near eyes
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: B
Lactation: not known if excreted in human milk
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Denavir (penciclovir)
Absorption: none
Mechanism of action
Penciclovir is converted to the pharmacologically active triphosphate metabolite, which has in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against various Herpesviridae, including herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
