famciclovir / Generic mfg. - LARVOL DELTA

Effect of famciclovir combined with nerve block on acute pain in patients with herpes zoster. (PubMed, Am J Transl Res) - "The combination of famciclovir and nerve block therapy substantially improves pain relief, reduces inflammatory responses, and enhances clinical outcome without increasing the risk of adverse events."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Herpes Zoster • Insomnia • Neuralgia • Oncology • Pain • Sleep Disorder • Varicella Zoster • CRP • IL6 • TNFA

Differentiating Verrucous Herpes from Neoplastic Processes (AAD 2026) - "Treatment typically includes antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, although some patients might need intralesional or surgical treatment. Patients in an immunocompromised state may not respond to standard anti-herpetic agents such as acyclovir, thus possibly needing escalation of treatment. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis when evaluating cutaneous lesions in immunocompromised patients."

Herpes Simplex • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • Squamous Cell Carcinoma • CD4

A Short Review and Update on Epidemiology, Treatment, and Management of Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Infection. (PubMed, Curr Pharm Des) - "However, only a few antivirals, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir, amenamevir, and brivudine, have clinical licenses for the treatment of HZ. This article reviews the etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, evaluation, and available treatments and vaccines for the management of HZ infection, using articles and reviews available in public databases to date (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and manual searches of Google Scholar). In addition, the differences in safety and effectiveness between the antivirals that are currently licensed for the treatment of HZ, the potential use of novel antivirals in the future for treating HZ, and the antivirals' therapeutic or preventive effects on ZAP or PHN are also discussed."

Journal • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Neuralgia • Pain • Varicella Zoster

Antiviral Treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus Decreases the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. (PubMed, J Drugs Dermatol) - "Antiviral therapy for oral or mucocutaneous HSV was associated with a 13% to 17% reduction in risk for AD and dementia. These findings suggest that early antiviral management of HSV infections may represent a feasible preventive strategy against neurodegenerative disease, meriting prospective confirmation. &nbsp."

Journal • Alzheimer's Disease • Cardiovascular • CNS Disorders • Cognitive Disorders • Dementia • Diabetes • Herpes Simplex • Hypertension • Infectious Disease • Metabolic Disorders

Efficacy and Safety of Brivudine in the Treatment of Herpes Zoster (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=140 | Recruiting | Sponsor: Peking University Third Hospital | Not yet recruiting ➔ Recruiting

Enrollment open • Herpes Zoster • Varicella Zoster

Anti-herpetic treatment reduces dementia risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (PubMed, J Alzheimers Dis) - "Eligible studies evaluated anti-herpetic medications (e.g., acyclovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir) and dementia risk in non-demented adults aged ≥50. To demonstrate the effects of anti-herpetic medications in various clinical scenarios, the meta-analysis compared: diagnosed and treated versus diagnosed but untreated (aHR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.67-0.89); treated versus untreated regardless of diagnosis (aHR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.87-0.94); and diagnosed and treated versus neither diagnosed nor treated (aHR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.97). Subgroup analysis and meta-regression identified infection severity as a significant modifier (p < 0.0001), explaining 89.01% of heterogeneity.ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis reveals notable protective effect of anti-herpetic medication usage on dementia, and the effect is especially pronounced in patients with severe alpha herpesvirus infections."

Journal • Retrospective data • Review • Alzheimer's Disease • CNS Disorders • Dementia • Herpes Simplex • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Varicella Zoster

Study protocol for a multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-arm, multi-stage, trial of SpironolacTone and famciclOovir in the treatment of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis to prevent disability progression: the STOP-MS trial. (PubMed, BMJ Neurol Open) - P3 | "The SpironolacTone and famciclOvir in the treatment of Progressive MS to prevent disability progression (STOP-MS) trial has been developed to assess anti-EBV therapies in the treatment of progressive MS. In stage 2, the primary outcome measure will be 6-month confirmed disability progression analysed using Cox-proportional hazards. The STOP-MS trial has been acknowledged by the Therapeutics Goods Administration under the Clinical Trial Notification scheme (CT-2023-CTN-03 505-1) and is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12623000849695)."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections • Multiple Sclerosis

Nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma with concurrent myocardial and central nervous system involvement: A rare case report. (PubMed, Medicine (Baltimore)) - "This case underscores that in patients with stage III or IV NK/T-cell lymphoma, lymphoma invasion should be the primary suspicion when cardiac or CNS abnormalities arise. Our case emphasizes the imperative for heightened clinical vigilance, prompt imaging and tailored treatment strategies are critical to potentially improve survival in such advanced cases."

Journal • CNS Lymphoma • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Hematological Malignancies • Lymphoma • Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma • Oncology • T Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Combination drug therapy as a strategy to improve the efficacy and safety of treatment of herpes simplex virus infections: potential risks and prospects. (PubMed, Vopr Virusol) - "Standard treatment with acyclovir, penciclovir, or the corresponding prodrugs valacyclovir and famciclovir is usually sufficient to stop recurrent HSV infections. When combining drugs that affect the pathogen in different ways, it is important to maintain the therapeutic effect with the use of lower doses due to the synergistic nature of the interaction, which reduces the likelihood of developing unwanted side effects of drugs. The review presents current data on the state and possible prospects for the development of combination therapy for HSV infections, obtained as a result of searching the literature related to anti-herpetical therapy using the PubMed, Medline databases, RSCI, the international registry of clinical trials of the US National Institutes of Health."

Journal • Review • CNS Disorders • Herpes Simplex • Infectious Disease • Ophthalmology

Ocular tolerance and tear film pharmacokinetics of 1 % penciclovir cream in cats. (PubMed, Res Vet Sci) - "While oral famciclovir is effective, its use is limited by poor bioavailability and compliance challenges...In the second study, tear fluid samples collected over 24 h revealed that penciclovir concentrations remained above the minimal inhibitory concentration (0.30 μg/ml) for FHV-1 for over 8 h on average, with a terminal half-life of 8.75 h. These findings indicate that Fenlips® is well tolerated and achieves pharmacologically relevant concentrations in the tear film, supporting its potential use as a twice-daily topical treatment for herpetic keratoconjunctivitis in cats."

Journal • PK/PD data • Conjunctivitis • Dry Eye Disease • Ocular Infections • Ocular Inflammation • Ophthalmology

Efficacy of Combination and Single Therapy in Bell's Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (PubMed, World J Plast Surg) - "Combination therapy (corticosteroid and antiviral) is significantly more effective than single corticosteroid therapy. Among the antiviral agents, famciclovir, valacyclovir, and acyclovir demonstrated the highest efficacy in combination with corticosteroids."

Journal • Retrospective data • Review • CNS Disorders

Ruvidar®-An Effective Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Agent. (PubMed, Viruses) - "Currently, effective FDA approved anti-herpetic drugs include acyclovir and later-generation derivatives (valacyclovir and famciclovir), which inhibit viral DNA synthesis...In these experiments, we evaluated the ability of Ruvidar® to restrict HSV-1 replication in Vero cells, both by itself and in combination with acyclovir and metformin in the absence of light activation to mimic deep tissue...We also discovered additive and synergistic anti-HSV-1 effects when combinational therapy was tested. Ruvidar® also restricted HSV-1 replication in human U251 glioblastoma astrocytoma cells, remained highly effective against acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 mutants, and protected infected cells from virus-induced cytopathology."

Journal • Astrocytoma • Brain Cancer • Glioblastoma • Herpes Simplex • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Viral Infections of the Vulva: A Narrative Review. (PubMed, Life (Basel)) - "First-line treatments like oral acyclovir/famciclovir for HSV and topical imiquimod or podophyllotoxin (±cryotherapy) for HPV are supported by adjunctive measures for self-limiting conditions. Personalized, multidisciplinary management that combines prevention, precision diagnostics, tailored therapy, psychosocial support, and economic considerations offers the greatest promise for improving clinical and quality-of-life outcomes in patients with vulvar viral infections. We aim to outline best practices for the diagnosis and management of common vulvar viral infections, providing practical guidance for clinicians to improve recognition and therapeutic decision-making."

Journal • Review • CNS Disorders • Dermatology • Infectious Disease • Pain • Pediatrics

Clinics in Dermatology: Herpes Simplex (Update on dermatological aspects of STD and HIV)NEED SOME PICTURES. (PubMed, Clin Dermatol) - "Antiviral suppression with aciclovir, valaciclovir or famciclovir is useful to treat initial painful episodes, or troublesome recurrent infection. Suppressive antiviral therapy, condoms, selective abstinence and disclosure to sexual partners have all been demonstrated to reduce the risk of transmission."

Journal • Dermatology • Herpes Simplex • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • Pain

Arginine Undecylenate, a Novel Viral Entry Inhibitor, for the Topical Treatment of Herpes Zoster and Associated Pain: A First-in-Patient, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase Ib Study (EADV 2025) - "Patients received oral antivirals (famciclovir or valaciclovir) as standard of care. Conclusion These early findings suggest topical Arg-UCA is safe and potentially effective at improving herpes zoster pain and lesion healing. As a novel viral entry inhibitor, topical Arg-UCA could address a critical unmet need in the management of herpes zoster."

Clinical • Late-breaking abstract • P1 data • Herpes Zoster • Pain • Varicella Zoster

Topical and Systemic Therapeutic Approaches in the Treatment of Oral Herpes Simplex Virus Infection: A Systematic Review. (PubMed, Int J Mol Sci) - "Topical treatments, including acyclovir cream, docosanol, and newer formulations, primarily reduce lesion duration and alleviate local symptoms when applied early...Novel delivery methods and combination strategies, such as acyclovir-hydrocortisone formulations or photodynamic therapy, may enhance local efficacy and symptom control. Systemic Therapies: Systemic antivirals, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, target both lesion resolution and recurrence prevention...Future research should focus on mechanism-based therapies, novel delivery systems, and standardized outcome measures to guide personalized treatment strategies. Emerging therapies targeting viral latency, immune modulation, and gene-editing technologies hold promise for long-term suppression and personalized management of HSV infections."

Journal • Review • Herpes Simplex • Immune Modulation • Immunology • Infectious Disease

Ulcerated Genital Lesions in Pemphigus Vulgaris: Herpes Simplex Virus as a Crucial Differential Diagnosis (ESDR 2025) - "Treatment included prednisone 1 mg/kg/day for pemphigus and initially famciclovir 125 mg twice daily for 10 days for herpes, later changed to acyclovir 400 mg three times daily for 3 weeks due to economic factors and persistence of lesions. Herpes lesions improved within the first week, while pemphigus lesions required prolonged treatment. This case highlights the importance of considering multiple diagnoses in mucosal and genital lesions of patients with immunosuppressed pemphigus, emphasizing that genital ulcerative lesions require a systematic and individualized diagnostic approach due to their diverse potential etiologies."

Dermatology • Hematological Disorders • Herpes Simplex • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Pemphigus Vulgaris

Newly identified properties of known pharmaceuticals and myxobacterial small molecules revealed by screening for autophagy modulators. (PubMed, FEBS J) - "We provide evidence that anisomycin and famciclovir, an aciclovir analogue, can normalise the elevated amount of LC3-positive vesicles in mutant fibroblasts, highlighting their potential for the treatment of NVSD. Thus, the screening method enabled the identification of autophagy-modulating compounds with therapeutic potential."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Infectious Disease • Influenza • Novel Coronavirus Disease • Respiratory Diseases • MAP1LC3B

Efficacy and Safety of Brivudine in the Treatment of Herpes Zoster (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=140 | Not yet recruiting | Sponsor: Peking University Third Hospital

New P4 trial • Herpes Zoster • Varicella Zoster

Effectiveness of steroids and antiviral agents in the treatment of Bell's palsy. (PubMed, Med Pharm Rep) - "This conclusion is supported by frequentist analysis, but not by the Bayesian approach as the Bayesian meta-analysis was inconclusive, suggesting some uncertainty in the effect size but this could be due to priors influence. Further research with advanced syntheses such as network and Bayesian meta-analysis is needed as well as more double-blinded randomized controlled trials."

Journal • Review • CNS Disorders

Recurrent vs. Nonrecurrent Superficial Non-Healing Corneal Ulcers in Cats: A Multifactorial Retrospective Analysis. (PubMed, Animals (Basel)) - "Systemic medications were more often used in recurrent cases, notably oral lysine (47.8% vs. 26.5%; p = 0.049) and famciclovir (17.4% vs. 2.6%; p = 0.016). Recurrent cases also showed significantly higher rates of concurrent viral (p < 0.001) and bacterial/fungal infections (p = 0.027). In conclusion, recurrent superficial non-healing corneal ulcers were associated with age and systemic illness, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and management of underlying conditions."

Journal • Retrospective data • Infectious Disease • Keratitis • Ocular Inflammation

Estimating Risks of Central Nervous System Disturbance Associated with Medications for Herpes Zoster: Findings from a Regional Population-Based Cohort Study Using the Shizuoka Kokuho Database. (PubMed, Drugs Real World Outcomes) - "Acyclovir and valacyclovir, when compared with famciclovir, are associated with an increased risk of CNS disturbance in patients with herpes zoster, particularly among those with severe renal dysfunction. These findings highlight the importance of careful consideration of renal function when determining antiviral dosing and support the development of clinical guidelines to enhance the safety of antiviral treatments, though further investigation into additional kidney function stages is needed."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Herpes Zoster • Mental Retardation • Nephrology • Psychiatry • Renal Disease • Varicella Zoster

Evaluation of the Effect of Patient-Initiated Antiviral Therapy on the Frequency of the Recurrent Herpes Simplex Viral Infection: A Single Center, Retrospective Study. (PubMed, Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol) - "Famciclovir-based PIT significantly reduced the recurrence rate of RHS, demonstrated high adherence and treatment efficacy, was preferred by patients, and was well tolerated. These results support PIT as a promising therapeutic approach for management of recurrent herpes simplex."

Journal • Retrospective data • Herpes Simplex • Infectious Disease

Formulation of pH responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluation. (PubMed, Sci Rep) - "No toxicity signs were observed in rabbits establishing the biosafety of system. Hence, the results suggest that Pluronic based polymeric system can act as promising carrier for controlled, site specific delivery of Famciclovir in intestine for prolonged period thereby reducing its dosing frequency and minimizing gastric side effects for treating Herpes and Varicella zoster infections."

Journal • Herpes Zoster • Infectious Disease • Varicella Zoster

When the Lungs Breathe Trouble: Ureaplasma Infection Causing Hyperammonemia Syndrome, Followed by HSV Pneumonitis, After Bilateral Lung Transplant (ISHLT 2025) - "He underwent bilateral lung transplant with induction on basiliximab and methylprednisolone 1 week later, and started on maintenance immunosuppression with corticosteroids, mycophenolate, and tacrolimus...He was initiated on dialysis, lactulose, and rifaximin for HALT, and doxycycline and azithromycin for empiric mollicute coverage; his ammonia subsequently down trended with these interventions...Prophylactic famciclovir was transitioned to acyclovir for fourteen days, with valacyclovir thereafter as alternative viral prophylaxis...Empiric testing of serum ammonia for the week after lung transplant may trigger concern for mollicute infection, which historically carries high mortality after lung transplantation. Meanwhile, while airway wall erythema due to reperfusion injury may be observed soon after transplantation, new sudden onset erythema in subsequent weeks should provoke investigation for infectious causes, particularly HSV pneumonitis."

Dermatology • Hepatology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Liver Failure • Pneumonia • Reperfusion Injury • Solid Organ Transplantation • Transplant Rejection • Transplantation