Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1996-1-25
pubmed:abstractText
Famciclovir, a synthetic acyclic guanine derivative, is a prodrug which, after oral administration, is rapidly metabolised to the highly bioavailable antiviral compound penciclovir. Penciclovir is active in vitro against the herpesviruses herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1, HSV-2 and varicella zoster virus (VZV). Famciclovir is an effective treatment of immunocompetent patients with acute herpes zoster (shingles) caused by VZV. Comparative studies have demonstrated that famciclovir has therapeutic efficacy similar to that of oral aciclovir (acyclovir) in attenuating the acute signs and symptoms of infection (including pain during the acute phase of infection). In a placebo-controlled study, famciclovir significantly reduced the duration of postherpetic neuralgia; this effect was more pronounced (almost a 3-fold reduction) in patients aged > or = 50 years. In immunocompetent patients with recurrent genital herpes infection, suppressive treatment with oral famciclovir effectively prolonged the time to recurrence of symptomatic episodes of infection compared with placebo. In addition, famciclovir significantly reduced the duration of viral shedding, accelerated healing of genital herpes lesions and reduced the duration of symptoms. Famciclovir is reported to be the first antiviral agent to significantly reduce symptoms associated with multiple genital herpes lesions. Famciclovir is a well-tolerated drug with a tolerability profile similar to that of placebo and aciclovir. Thus, famciclovir is now established as an effective treatment of immunocompetent patients with herpes zoster or genital herpes infection, particularly as famciclovir is administered in a convenient dosage regimen that may improve compliance compared with aciclovir.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
0012-6667
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
50
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
396-415
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1995
pubmed:articleTitle
Famciclovir. A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in herpesvirus infections.
pubmed:affiliation
Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Review