Penciclovir

Penciclovir Brand Name– Denavir

What is Penciclovir

Penciclovir the active metabolite of famciclovir, is marketed as a topical cream for the treatment of herpes labialis in patients 12 years of age and older.

It was the first antiviral medication approved for the treatment of herpes labialis in the US.

When penciclovir therapy is initiated within 1 hour of the signs or symptoms of herpes labialis, mean lesion duration is about 0.7 to 1 day shorter than without treatment.

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.

Indications

  • herpes labialis
  • herpes simplex virus type 1
  • herpes simplex virus type 2
  • varicella-zoster virus

Side Effects

  1. dysgeusia
  2. edema
  3. erythema
  4. headache
  5. hypoesthesia
  6. paresthesias
  7. parosmia
  8. skin discoloration
  9. skin irritation
  10. urticaria

Monitoring Parameters

  • laboratory monitoring not necessary

Contraindications

  • acyclovir hypersensitivity
  • breast-feeding
  • children
  • famciclovir hypersensitivity
  • ganciclovir hypersensitivity
  • immunosuppression
  • infants
  • neonates
  • ophthalmic administration
  • penciclovir hypersensitivity
  • pregnancy
  • valacyclovir hypersensitivity
  • valganciclovir hypersensitivity

Interactions

There are no drug interactions associated with Penciclovir products.

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