Indication: Used to treat recurrent cold sores on the lips and face.
Pharmacology: Penciclovir 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.
Mechanism Of Action: Penciclovir 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.
Drug Category: Antivirals; ATC:D06BB06; ATC:J05AB13
Absorption: 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.
Interactions:
DrugBank: Interactions for Penciclovir
Interactions for Penciclovir:
No information provided.
Chemical IUPAC Name: 2-amino-9-[4-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)butyl]-3,9-dihydropurin-6-one
Chemical Formula: C10H15N5O3
Half Life: 2 hours
Drug Type: Approved Drug
# Accession No: APRD00041
CAS Registry Number: 39809-25-1
Penciclovir News (When available)
Single-Day Famvir Treatment Found to Shorten the Duration of ...Dec 18, 2005 Yahoo! News (press release) Famvir, Pregnancy Category B, is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the product, its components, or Denavir® (penciclovir cream). ...
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