How often should I give my Cat famciclovir?
Famciclovir is available in 125 mg, 250 mg and 500 mg tablets. Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) – Oral doses range from 40 – 90 mg per kilo every 8 to 12 hours. Administer without food for optimal absorption. If the cat vomits or develops nausea (loss of appetite, drooling, lip-smacking), give with a small amount of food.
What is Famvir used to treat in cats?
Famciclovir (brand name Famvir®) is an anti-viral medication used to treat feline herpesvirus (FHV-1). Its use in cats is ‘off label’ or ‘extra-label’. Many drugs are commonly prescribed for off label use in veterinary medicine.
Can humans take famciclovir for feline herpes?
Famciclovir is an antiviral drug used in veterinary medicine predominantly to treat cats suffering from feline herpes virus and FHV (feline viral rhinotracheitis). Famciclovir itself is not active in either humans or cats; it is metabolized to an active form, penciclovir.
How often should I give my cat feline herpesvirus?
Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) – Oral doses range from 40 – 90 mg per kilo every 8 to 12 hours. Administer without food for optimal absorption. If the cat vomits or develops nausea (loss of appetite, drooling, lip-smacking), give with a small amount of food.
How long do antivirals take to work in cats?
The recommended dose is 125mg to 250mg PO BID, however dosing up to 90mg/kg PO TID is safe in cats. Topical and oral antiviral medications can be used together. Because antiviral medications do not kill the virus, it can take several days and up to 1 to 2 weeks to note significant improvement of clinical signs.
Can a cat overdose on famciclovir?
Famciclovir can be given with food. Wash your hands after administering this medication. If you suspect that your pet or another animal has been accidentally overdosed or has eaten this medication inadvertently, contact your veterinarian or the A.S.P.C.A.'s Animal Poison Control Center at 888.426. 4435.
Can famciclovir be compounded for cats?
Famciclovir is used to predominantly treat cats suffering from feline herpes virus and FHV (feline viral rhinotracheitis.) Consult your veterinarian. This is a compounded medication specifically made for your pet based on a prescription from your licensed veterinarian. Compounded medications are not returnable.
Can you take Famvir long term?
Take as directed Famciclovir is used for short-term treatment of oral or genital herpes, and shingles. It's used for long-term treatment of genital herpes. This drug comes with serious risks if you don't take it as prescribed.
How long does Famciclovir take to work?
The recommended dosage of Famvir is 250 mg three times daily for seven days. Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after herpes zoster is diagnosed. Studies have shown Famvir to be of benefit when started within 72 hours of the onset of rash. Greatest benefit occurs if Famvir is started within 48 hours.
Why is Famvir discontinued?
The reason for the discontinuation is not due to manufacturing, product quality, safety or efficacy concerns. Novartis has informed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the discontinuation of Famvir (famciclovir).
How long does it take for acyclovir to work in cats?
Application of acyclovir as 0.5% ophthalmic ointment 5 times daily in cats with ocular disease attributable to FHV-1 led to resolution of clinical signs after 10 days in an non-masked, non placebo-controlled study.
Can you take Famvir twice?
For suppression of recurrent genital herpes: Adults—250 milligrams (mg) two times a day for up to one year. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
How long should I take Famvir?
The recommended dosage of Famvir is 250 mg three times daily for seven days. Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after herpes zoster is diagnosed. Studies have shown Famvir to be of benefit when started within 72 hours of the onset of rash. Greatest benefit occurs if Famvir is started within 48 hours.
Can I give my cat acyclovir?
Acyclovir is an antiviral used for treating herpes outbreaks in humans. However, it is toxic to cats and should be avoided.
Do shelter cats have FHV?
In shelters, we are often treating two or more organisms, and we usually don’t know which ones are present in an individual cat. That said, if the clinical signs are consistent with FHV, there’s a really good chance the cat does have it – simply because it’s such a common infection, particularly in shelters. According to Koret Shelter Medicine, ...
Is Famvir good for ocular ulcers?
According to Koret Shelter Medicine, Famvir should be considered in severe or refractory FHV, or for severe ocular signs (corneal ulcers, severe conjunctivitis). It might also be of some use in chronic rhinosinusitis (Malik 2009), though this was a small and preliminary study.
What to do if you miss a cat's meds?
If you miss a dose, administer as soon as possible unless the next dose is due soon. If you miss more than one dose, consult your cat’s veterinarian. Do not give your cat two doses at once.
What is famciclovir used for?
Administered: Tablet. Famciclovir ( fam-sye-clow-veer) is a prescription antiviral medication used in the treatment of feline herpesvirus, a common viral infection that produces upper respiratory infections (URI’s).
What is the effect of famciclovir on herpes?
Famciclovir is converted to penciclovir which targets virus-infected cells where it is rapidly converted into penciclovir-triphosphate (mediated via virus-induced thymidine kinase) which inhibits herpesvirus DNA polymerase via competition with deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP), a nucleoside triphosphate, and a nucleotide precursor used in cells for DNA synthesis.
Does famciclovir cause diarrhea?
Famciclovir is well-tolerated and side-effects are not well documented. High doses may cause loss of appetite, increased thirst and reduction in white blood cells (neutropenia) in some cats. Side effects in humans include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache.
Can cats have herpes?
Once a cat is infected with the feline herpesvirus, he or she will have it for life, after the initial infection, the cat recovers, but the virus lies dormant in the body evading the immune system, during periods of stress or corticosteroid treatment, the virus may re-activate. [lwptoc]
Can cats take a virucidal drug?
The drug is not approved for use in cats by the Food and Drug Administration but is routinely prescribed extra-label. The drug is virustatic and not virucidal, which means it inhibits viral replication but does not kill the virus or eliminate the infection.
Can a cat overdose on famciclovir?
Overdose/acute toxicity. Little information is available regarding famciclovir overdose in cats, however, support ive treatment is recommended. Penciclovir can be removed by hemodialysis. Always seek immediate veterinary attention if your cat has ingested a higher than the prescribed dose of famciclovir.
How long does it take for famciclovir to work?
Any side effects should be reported to your veterinarian. This medication can take a few weeks before full effects are noted, but side effects can occur immediately. Gradual improvements are usually noted after a few days.
What is famciclovir used for?
Famciclovir (brand name Famvir®) is an anti-viral medication used to treat feline herpesvirus (FHV-1). Its use in cats is ‘off label’ or ‘extra-label’. Many drugs are commonly prescribed for off label use in veterinary medicine.
Can you give a cat famciclovir without food?
Famciclovir comes in tablet form; however your veterinarian may compound it into a liquid form. Famciclovir should be given by mouth without food. If your cat vomits or acts sick after receiving the medication, give the next dose with a small amount of food.
How do you know if your cat has FHV?
Early onset signs of FHV in cats will typically include loss of appetite, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, and fever. Secondary bacterial infections like sinusitis and empyema can also develop after some time.
What is the FHV infection?
FHV is an upper respiratory infection caused by feline herpesvirus 1. It also is called feline influenza and feline coryza. This is a very serious disease and one that is highly contagious, especially among young kittens. If left untreated, FHV will result in death from pneumonia in most cases.
Why is it important to follow the prescribed directions for FHV?
Due to the intense nature of FHV and feline herpesvirus, it is very important to follow the prescribed directions as precisely as possible. It is equally vital to complete the full course of treatment for the medication to work as intended. Failure to do so will increase the risk of relapse.
Can you take famciclovir with a known allergy?
Treatment with Famciclovir should be avoided in patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to the medication . It also should be avoided in cases in which the patient suffers from acute renal-failure or liver disease.
Can cats get FHV?
Ocular problems, such as corneal ulcers, keratitis, and corneal sequestra also can develop. If a cat becomes infected at an early age, the risk of FHV causing permanent damage to the nasal and sinus tissue is substantially higher. Like many other drugs in veterinary medicine, this drug is not FDA-approved for use in animals ...
Is famciclovir metabolized to penciclovir?
Famciclovir is an antiviral drug used in veterinary medicine predominantly to treat cats suffering from feline herpes virus and FHV (feline viral rhinotracheitis). Famciclovir itself is not active in either humans or cats; it is metabolized to an active form, penciclovir.
Can you give a pet famciclovir?
Give this medication to your pet exactly as your veterinarian prescribes. If you miss giving your pet a dose of famciclovir, give the next dose as soon as you remember or, if it is close to the next scheduled dose, return to the regular schedule. Do not double dose to catch up. Famciclovir can be given with food.
What is the best dose of famciclovir for herpes?
It’s lovely to have a dose that’s backed up by research – after all, anyone can claim success for any dosage regimen at all in a disease that’s usually self-limiting! BUT, the pharmacokinetically optimal dose (90mg/kg BID) is much higher than most of us have used in the past, making cost and patient tolerance even more problematic. With the help of Dr. Elena Contreras DVM, I’ve delved into this a little further to assess the options.
What to do if your cat is improving?
If the cat is improving, continue to treat – the duration could be tailored to the cat, based on clinical severity, duration of illness, amount of improvement, and shelter resources. By LINDA JACOBSON.
Can herpes be found in shelter cats?
It is very difficult (if not impossible) to confirm that herpes is the cause of disease/clinical signs in client-owned or shelter cats. This is because there are too many false positives and false negatives on common diagnostic tests. The virus can “hide” in many places.
Is PCR good for cats?
PCR is much more useful in outbreak situations where multiple cats are being tested. All that said, the expert consensus is that herpes is the most common and important feline ocular and upper respiratory pathogen, so in these really sick kitties, it’s still reasonable to try an antiviral drug.
Can antibiotics be used for URI?
Shelters can save costs, avoid side effects, and responsibly steward antibiotics, by recognizing that there is no indication for antibacterial treatment for a viral disease. Antibiotics should only be used for URI if there is a strong suspicion that there’s a bacterial infection.
Is famciclovir bad for cats?
Famciclovir is rational for severely stressed, sick URI cats and for young kittens with severe ocular signs, in which eyes may be lost without aggressive treatment. Famvir tastes awful, if the cats are to be believed. The stress of dosing could offset the benefits of treatment for some animals.
What is famvir used for?
Famvir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles. Famvir is sometimes used in people with human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) who develop herpes outbreaks around the mouth, genitals, or anal area. Famvir may not be effective in treating your first episode of genital herpes, ...
What are the side effects of Famvir?
Famvir side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Famvir: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. kidney problems - little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath. nausea.
How long does it take for famciclovir to work?
500 mg orally every 8 hours for 7 days#N#Famciclovir is most effective if started within 48 hours of onset of rash. The efficacy has not been established if started more than 72 hours after onset of rash.
Can you take famvir with food?
You may take Famvir with or without food. Lesions caused by herpes viruses should be kept as clean and dry as possible. Wearing loose clothing may help to prevent irritation of the lesions. To prevent recurrent genital herpes, you may need to take Famvir for up to 1 year. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Can herpes be passed to a baby?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Herpes can be passed to your baby during childbirth if you have a genital lesion when your baby is born. If you have genital herpes, it is very important to prevent herpes lesions during pregnancy.
Can you take Famvir if you are allergic to Penciclovir?
You should not use Famvir if you are allergic to famciclovir or penciclovir cream ( Denavir ). To make sure Famvir is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver disease; kidney disease; a weak immune system; galactose intolerance; severe lactase deficiency; or. glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Is famvir good for herpes?
Famvir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles. There is no cure for herpes and famciclovir will not prevent you from developing symptoms in the future.
2.1 Dosing Recommendation in Immunocompetent Adult Patients
Herpes labialis (cold sores): The recommended dosage of FAMVIR for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis is 1500 mg as a single dose. Therapy should be initiated at the first sign or symptom of herpes labialis (e.g., tingling, itching, burning, pain, or lesion).
2.2 Dosing Recommendation in HIV-Infected Adult Patients
Recurrent orolabial or genital herpes: The recommended dosage of FAMVIR for the treatment of recurrent orolabial or genital herpes in HIV-infected patients is 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Therapy should be initiated at the first sign or symptom of a recurrent episode (e.g., tingling, itching, burning, pain, or lesion).
2.3 Dosing Recommendation in Patients with Renal Impairment
Dosage recommendations for adult patients with renal impairment are provided in Table 1 [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Basic Information
Veterinary Medicine Uses For Famciclovir
Potential Side-Effects of Famciclovir
- While Famciclovir is appropriate for use in cats, it is a potent drug and some patients can experience side-effects, the most common of which are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low-grade fever. Administering the medication with food can help offset stomach upset. Be sure to discuss any side effects with your veterinarian immediately. Famciclovir is a relatively new drug and ther…
Precautions For Using Famciclovir
- Treatment with Famciclovir should be avoided in patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to the medication. It also should be avoided in cases in which the patient suffers from acute renal-failure or liver disease. Since the extent of Famciclovir's excretion into a nursing animal's milk is unknown, use of this drug in pregnant or nursing animals should occur only when the benefits o…
Dosage and Administration of Famciclovir
- Famciclovir is administered orally through several formulations including oral tablets, capsules, pastes, and suspensions. This medication is available only with a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. Due to the intense nature of FHV and feline herpesvirus, it is very important to follow the prescribed directions as precisely as possible. It ...