Famvir (Famciclovir)

Famvir
4.510 ratingsReviews
Generic:
Famciclovir
Indications:
herpes HIV
Analogs:
Acyclovir Valacyclovir Penciclovir Zovirax Valtrex Denavir Vectavir Brivudine
Famvir 250 mg and 500 mg are available to buy online now (OTC). The 125 mg strength will be added soon. Unfortunately, Famvir (famciclovir) is not available as a cream - if you need a topical option, pencyclovir cream is a better choice.
In stock: 19 packs
AdultsPregnancyAllergiesDiabetesBreastfeedingChildrenDriving

Dosages

Famvir 250 mg

Quantity Price per tablet You save Total price
30 $4.77 - $143.00
60 $4.50 $16.00 $270.00

Famvir 500 mg

Quantity Price per tablet You save Total price
30 $7.47 - $224.00
60 $6.22 $75.00 $373.00

Manufacturers

ApotexCipla LimitedMacleods Pharmaceuticals LimitedNovartis FarmacéuticaNovartis Farma S.p.A.Novartis Pharmaceuticals AustraliaNovartis Pharmaceuticals CanadaNovartis Pharmaceuticals CorporationNovartis Pharmaceuticals UKNovartis Pharma GmbHNovartis Pharma S.A.S.Sandoz

Payment & Shipping

Package Example

Your order is carefully packed and ships within 24 hours. Here is what a typical package looks like.

Sized like a regular personal letter (9.4x4.3x0.3 inches), with no indication of what is inside.

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Back View
Back View
Shipping Times
Shipping MethodEstimated delivery
Express Free for orders over $300.00Estimated delivery to the U.S.: 4-7 days
Standard Free for orders over $200.00Estimated delivery to the U.S.: 14-21 days
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Discount Coupons

  • Independence Day - July 4, 2026 10% JULY410
  • Labor Day - September 7, 2026 7% LABOR07
  • Thanksgiving - November 26, 2026 9% THANKS09

FAQ

Famciclovir tablets are prescription-only medicines at local US pharmacies. However, our store policy allows you to order Famvir without a prescription and have it sent by mail. This store ordering policy is separate from the medicine's US prescription classification.

Do not save leftover famciclovir tablets for a future outbreak, another illness, or another person. Use a medication take-back program when available, or ask a pharmacist about appropriate local disposal options. Do not change or extend a prescribed treatment course just to use the remaining tablets.

They may not be the same. Products containing famciclovir can use different inactive ingredients, coatings, colors, and packaging depending on the manufacturer. The exact inactive ingredients for the supplied tablets are not confirmed in advance, so check the received package leaflet or label if you have an allergy or intolerance.

Famvir tablets are taken by mouth and may be taken with or without food. Take each dose at the times directed for the condition being treated; treatment schedules differ for cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. Kidney function can require a different dose, so the prescribed regimen should be followed rather than using a schedule intended for another condition or person.

Description

Note: Images in the description are provided for informational purposes and may differ from the actual appearance of the product. Please refer to the product name, strength, ingredients, and dosage form.

What Famvir is and what it is used for

Famvir is an antiviral medicine. It stops the infecting virus from reproducing. Since the virus reproduces very early in the infection, you will benefit most from treatment if you take Famvir as soon as the first symptoms appear.

Famvir is used in adults to treat shingles (herpes zoster) and recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes. Famvir is not a cure for herpes infections.

Famvir

Shingles (herpes zoster)

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a viral infection caused by varicella zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox).

The safety and effectiveness of Famvir for shingles in the eye(s) (ophthalmic zoster) have not been established.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2. It is normally spread by sexual contact. It causes blisters and burning or itching around the genitals, which may be painful.

Famvir is used to treat recurrent genital herpes outbreaks in adults. People who have frequent outbreaks of genital herpes can also take Famvir as suppressive therapy to help reduce the number of outbreaks. The safety and effectiveness of suppressive therapy beyond 1 year have not been established.

Famvir

Before you take Famvir

Do not take Famvir

If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to famciclovir, to any of the ingredients in Famvir, or to penciclovir (e.g. Denavir® (penciclovir cream)). Ask your doctor for advice, if you think you may be allergic.

Take special care with Famvir

If you have kidney problems (or have had them before). Your doctor may decide to give you a lower dose of Famvir.

If you have problems with your body's immune system. If you have liver problems. If any of these applies to you, tell your doctor before you take Famvir.

Children and adolescents (below the age of 18 years)

Famvir is not recommended for use in children and adolescents.

Prevent passing genital herpes to others

If you are taking Famvir to treat or to suppress genital herpes, or you have had genital herpes in the past, you should still practise safe sex, including the use of condoms. This is important to help reduce the risk of passing the infection on to others. You should not have sex if you have genital sores or blisters.

Taking other medicines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

It is especially important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take probenecid, as it may increase penciclovir levels.

Taking Famvir with food and drink

You can take Famvir with or without food.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor. It is not known if Famvir will harm your unborn baby.

If you are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed, tell your doctor. It is not known if Famvir passes into breast milk or how it may affect a breastfed baby.

Driving and using machines

Famvir can cause dizziness, drowsiness or confusion. Do not drive or use machines if you have any of these symptoms while taking Famvir.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Famvir

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, e.g. lactose, contact your doctor before taking this medicine. Famvir 125 mg, 250 mg and 500 mg tablets contain lactose.

How to take Famvir

Always take Famvir exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The daily dose and length of treatment will depend on the type of viral infection you have - see below. Your doctor will prescribe the correct dose for you.

For the best results start the medicine as soon as possible after the first signs and symptoms appear.

Do not have sexual contact with anyone if you have symptoms of genital herpes - even if you have started treatment with Famvir. This is because you could pass the herpes infection to your partner.

If you have or have had kidney problems, your doctor may decide to give you a lower dose of Famvir.

Dose for shingles

If you have a normal immune system, the recommended dose is one tablet of 500 mg, three times a day, for seven days.

Dose for genital herpes

The dose depends on the stage of your infection.

Famvir is not indicated for the first outbreak of genital herpes.

To treat recurrent outbreaks, the recommended dose is: 1000 mg twice daily for 1 day.

To help prevent future outbreaks (suppressive therapy), the recommended dose is: one tablet of 250 mg twice a day. Your doctor will tell you how long you need to continue taking your tablets.

The safety and effectiveness of Famvir have not been established in immunocompromised patients, except for treatment of recurrent orolabial or genital herpes in HIV-infected adults (500 mg twice daily for 7 days).

If you take more Famvir than you should

If you have taken more tablets than you have been told to take, or if someone else accidentally takes your medicine, go to your doctor or hospital for advice immediately. Show them your pack of tablets.

Taking too much Famvir may affect the kidneys. In people who already have kidney problems it may, rarely, lead to kidney failure if their dose is not correctly lowered.

If you forget to take Famvir

If you miss a dose of Famvir, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Famvir can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The most common side effects reported are headache and nausea.

Serious side effects of Famvir are:

  • Severe blistering of the skin or mucous membranes of the lips, eyes, mouth, nasal passages or genitals (these could be signs of a serious allergic skin reaction).
  • Unexplained bruising, reddish or purplish patches on the skin or nosebleeds (these could be signs of a decrease in the number of blood platelets).

Contact a doctor or go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital straight away if you get any of these effects.

  • Headache
  • Feeling sick (nausea)
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Rash
  • Pruritus

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Famvir

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not use Famvir after the expiry date which is stated on the label after the expiry date. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

Do not use Famvir if you notice the pack is damaged or shows signs of tampering.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

Medically reviewed by
Brian Holtry
MD, infectious diseases specialist and medical writer
Updated August 11, 2026

Customer questions

Asked by Megan Carter, Washington, D.C., United States

I receive all my mail at a PO Box in Washington, D.C. Can I use that address when ordering Famvir?

Answered by Support team

Please enter the PO Box address at checkout and review the address options accepted there. We cannot confirm PO Box eligibility before checkout because acceptance can depend on the available shipping option.

Asked by Daniel Brooks, Columbus, United States

If I reorder Famvir later, will it come from the same manufacturer as my previous package?

Answered by Support team

We cannot guarantee the same manufacturer for a future order. When your package arrives, verify the active ingredient is famciclovir, the strength and tablet form are correct, and check the manufacturer, package label, lot number, expiration date, and tablet imprint if present.

Asked by Alyssa Morgan, Jacksonville, United States

I was prescribed Famvir for shingles but just found out I'm pregnant. Is it safe to start taking it?

Answered by Support team
Medical reviewed by Brian Holtry

Human pregnancy data for famciclovir are insufficient to establish its risk, so the decision should be made by the prescriber after weighing the potential benefit of treatment against possible fetal risk. Contact the prescriber promptly before starting or changing the treatment plan.

Product specifications

Active ingredientFamciclovir
Drug classAntiviral (nucleoside analog)
Dosage formTablets
Available strengths250 mg, 500 mg
RouteOral
StorageStore at 77°F; excursions permitted between 59°F and 86°F. Keep in a tightly closed container, protected from moisture.
ATC codeJ05AB09

Regulatory information

More information