Famciclovir is a nucleoside analog DNA polymerase inhibitor used for the treatment of recurrent cold sores and genital herpes in healthy patients and patients with HIV, and to manage herpes zoster. Famciclovir, marketed as Famvir by Novartis, is a guanine analogue used to treat herpes virus infections.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Famciclovir undergoes rapid biotransformation to the active antiviral compound penciclovir, which has inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) and varicella zoster virus (VZV). In cells infected with HSV-1, HSV-2 or VZV, viral thymidine kinase phosphorylates penciclovir to a monophosphate form that, in turn, is converted to penciclovir triphosphate by cellular kinases. In vitro studies demonstrate that penciclovir triphosphate inhibits HSV-2 DNA polymerase competitively with deoxyguanosine triphosphate. Consequently, herpes viral DNA synthesis and, therefore, replication are selectively inhibited.
- Primary indication
- For the treatment of acute herpes zoster (shingles).Curator reviewed · 6 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C14H19N5O4 · 321.3318 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2006 · United States, 1994
- Code names
- AV 42810 · BRL-42810
- Brand names
Resolves to
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Which drugs share a target with Famciclovir, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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