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Compare Famciclovir vs. Valacyclovir

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

  • Famciclovir
    Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
  • Famciclovir
    Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

  • Summary of Famciclovir vs. Valacyclovir

    Summary for Antiviral
    Prescription only

    Famciclovir is an antiviral medication used for the treatment of cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. It works best if it's taken at the first sign of an outbreak.

    Summary for Antiviral
    Prescription only

    Valacyclovir (Valtrex) is an antiviral medication used for treating infections caused by herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus, such as cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles, and chickenpox. It's available as a tablet. But it can be made by a compounding pharmacy into a suspension for people having trouble swallowing the tablets. Some more side effects of valacyclovir (Valtrex) include headache, nausea, and stomach pain.

  • Indications of Famciclovir vs. Valacyclovir

    Indications for
    •Cold sores (herpes labialis)
    •Genital herpes
    •Shingles (herpes zoster)
    Indications for
    •Chickenpox (varicella) in children ages 2 to 17 years old
    •Cold sores in people age 12 years and older
    •Genital herpes in adults
    •Shingles (herpes zoster) in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Famciclovir vs. Valacyclovir

    Pros and Const for Antiviral
    Pros
    •Can be taken with or without food
    •Only needs to be taken for one day to treat cold sores and genital herpes in adults without HIV
    •Works well for most people to shorten the duration of herpes outbreaks
    •Available as a generic, which can be more affordable
    Cons
    •Not a cure for HSV and VZV infections; only controls the outbreak
    •Needs to be taken at the first sign of an outbreak
    •Unknown if taking famciclovir can lower your risk of transmitting HSV to someone else
    •Can't be used in people younger than 18 years of age
    Pros and Const for Antiviral
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Can be used in adults and children for cold sores
    •Can be made into an oral liquid by the pharmacy for people having trouble swallowing the tablets
    •Not many interactions with other medications
    Cons
    •Doesn't cure viral infections
    •Still have risk of future outbreaks
    •Only works well if taken at the first signs of infection
    •Older adults at higher risk for some side effects, such as agitation or confusion

  • Common Side Effects of Famciclovir vs. Valacyclovir

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (up to 39%)
    •Nausea (up to 13%)
    •Diarrhea (up to 9%)
    •Stomach pain (up to 8%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Cold sores

    •Headaches (up to 17%)

    Genital herpes

    •Headaches (up to 38%)
    •Nausea (up to 11%)
    •Stomach pain (up to 11%)

    Shingles

    •Nausea (up to 15%)
    •Headaches (up to 14%)

    Chickenpox

    •Diarrhea (5%)
    •Fever (4%)

  • Warnings of Famciclovir vs. Valacyclovir

    Common Side Effects for
    •KIDNEY PROBLEMS
    •SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS
    Common Side Effects for
    •Rare blood clotting problems
    •Kidney problems
    •Agitation, confusion, and other nervous system-related side effects

  • Prices with our coupons for Famciclovir vs. Valacyclovir

    Learn more about Famciclovir
    Learn more about Valacyclovir

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