Fenivir

Fenivir Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Fenivir is a synthetic acyclic guanine derivative with antiviral activity used for the treatment of various herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Displaying low toxicity and good selectivity, penciclovir is a nucleoside analogue.

Fenivir is the active metabolite of the oral product famciclovir. The more favorable results observed with topical penciclovir versus topical acyclovir for the treatment of herpes labialis may be due to the longer intracellular half-life of penciclovir in HSV-infected cells. The activated drug inhibits the viral DNA polymerase. This impairs the ability of the virus to replicate within the cell.

Trade Name Fenivir
Availability Prescription only
Generic Penciclovir
Penciclovir Other Names Penciclovir, Penciclovirum
Related Drugs acyclovir, valacyclovir, Valtrex, Zovirax, tetracaine topical
Type
Formula C10H15N5O3
Weight Average: 253.2578
Monoisotopic: 253.117489371
Protein binding

Less than 20%.

Groups Approved
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Fenivir
Fenivir

Uses

Fenivir is a topical nucleoside polymerase inhibitor used in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis.

Used to treat recurrent cold sores on the lips and face from various herpesvirus invections.

Fenivir is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Cold Sore

How Fenivir works

Fenivir has in vitro activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2). In cells infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2, viral thymidine kinase phosphorylates penciclovir to a monophosphate form. The monophosphate form of the drug is then converted to penciclovir triphosphate by cellular kinases. The intracellular triphosphate of penciclovir is retained in vitro inside HSV-infected cells for 10-20 hours, compared with 0.7-1 hour for acyclovir. in vitro studies show that penciclovir triphosphate selectively inhibits viral DNA polymerase by competing with deoxyguanosine triphosphate. Inhibition of DNA synthesis of virus-infected cells inhibits viral replication. In cells not infected with HSV, DNA synthesis is unaltered. Resistant mutants of HSV can occur from qualitative changes in viral thymidine kinase or DNA polymerase. The most commonly encountered acyclovir-resistant mutants that are deficient in viral thymidine kinase are also resistant to penciclovir.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include headache, abdominal pain, increased serum lipase, nausea, dyspepsia, dizziness, and hyperbilirubinemia.

Food Interaction

No interactions found.

Elimination Route

Measurable penciclovir concentrations were not detected in plasma or urine of healthy male volunteers (n= 12) following single or repeat application of the 1% cream at a dose of 180 mg penciclovir daily.

Half Life

2 hours

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Fenivir

*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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