Buy Famvir online with free consultation & prescription

Book a quick face-to-face video consultation with a UK certified prescribing pharmacist, nurse, or doctor. If approved, your Famvir will be prescribed* and delivered straight to your door within 10-14 working days. Avoid doctor waiting lists. No delays. Just expert care.

Famvir is indicated for the treatment of Shingles & Genital Herpes.

*Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation.

Manufactured by Novartis.

Famvir packaging which is available to order online from NowPatient with free next day delivery
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Famvir packaging which is available to order online from NowPatient with free next day delivery

Famvir

Famvir doses and pack sizes

*Your clinician will recommend the right strength and quantity for you during the consultation.

Treatment£384.81
Shipping£25.00
Total if approved£409.81

How it works

Fast, simple booking with a certified prescribing clinician

If approved, get your treatment prescription

Get tracked delivery straight to your door

No hidden fees. No delays.

Similar treatments

Famvir alternatives

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Famvir prices

Brand/GenericFormDosageQuantityPriceDelivery CostConsultation Cost
FamvirBrandTablets250mg15£384.81£0.00*(with Core+ Plan)£0.00
FamvirBrandTablets500mg30£1,538.91£0.00*(with Core+ Plan)£0.00

FAQs

Answers to popular questions about Famvir

What is Famvir?

Famvir is a brand-name antiviral medication containing famciclovir, used to treat infections caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Famciclovir is the oral prodrug of penciclovir. It is available as 125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg tablets. Famvir is used to treat genital herpes (initial and recurrent episodes), cold sores, and shingles. It is a prescription-only medicine in the UK and is considered an alternative to valaciclovir and aciclovir.

How does Famvir work?

Famciclovir is converted in the body to penciclovir, its active antiviral form. Penciclovir is a guanosine nucleoside analogue that is selectively activated in herpes virus-infected cells by viral thymidine kinase. Once activated, penciclovir triphosphate inhibits viral DNA polymerase, blocking viral DNA replication. While penciclovir is less potent than aciclovir in vitro, famciclovir achieves excellent bioavailability and penciclovir has a longer intracellular half-life than aciclovir, potentially providing prolonged antiviral activity.

What is the difference between Famvir and Valtrex?

Both Famvir (famciclovir) and Valtrex (valaciclovir) are effective oral antivirals for herpes infections with similar clinical outcomes. They differ in their active metabolites — famciclovir converts to penciclovir while valaciclovir converts to aciclovir. Penciclovir has a longer intracellular half-life. In practice, both are well-tolerated and equally effective. Valaciclovir is more widely prescribed in the UK and has more data in pregnancy. Famvir may be preferred for patients who do not tolerate valaciclovir or where an alternative is needed.

What is the usual dose of Famvir?

For initial genital herpes: 250 mg three times daily for 5 days. For recurrent genital herpes: 125 mg twice daily for 5 days, or as a single-day regimen of 1 g twice daily. For suppression: 250 mg twice daily. For shingles: 500 mg three times daily for 7 days, ideally started within 72 hours of rash onset. For cold sores: 1.5 g as a single dose. Famciclovir can be taken with or without food. Dose adjustments are needed for renal impairment.

When should I start Famvir?

For best results, start Famvir as early as possible. For recurrent herpes episodes, treatment should begin within 6 hours (ideally) to 24 hours of the first prodromal symptoms (tingling, burning, itching). For shingles, treatment should begin within 72 hours of the rash appearing. Many patients with frequent genital herpes recurrences keep Famvir at home for prompt self-initiated treatment at the first sign of an outbreak.

What are the side effects of Famvir?

Common side effects include headache, nausea, and diarrhoea. Uncommon side effects include dizziness, fatigue, rash, and abdominal pain. Famvir is generally very well-tolerated. Rarely, confusion and hallucinations have been reported, primarily in elderly patients or those with renal impairment. As with all antiviral nucleoside analogues, adequate hydration is advisable, particularly with higher doses.

Can I take Famvir during pregnancy?

There is less safety data for famciclovir in pregnancy compared to aciclovir/valaciclovir. For this reason, valaciclovir or aciclovir are preferred during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Famvir, consult your doctor immediately. Your prescriber may switch you to aciclovir or valaciclovir, which have larger pregnancy safety databases and are recommended by UK guidelines for herpes management in pregnancy.

How can I get a prescription for Famvir?

You can request Famvir through NowPatient by completing a short online consultation with one of our prescribing clinicians. Your clinician will assess your symptoms and history of outbreaks to decide whether Famvir is suitable as a treatment course or as suppressive therapy. Consultations are confidential. If treatment is suitable, a prescription is issued and your medication is dispensed by our registered pharmacy and delivered to your door.

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