Which species have cited Famciclovir dosing data?

Famciclovir dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 2 species: Cat (Domestic), Eastern Box Turtle.

Is Famciclovir a controlled substance?

Famciclovir is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Famciclovir

US brand names:Famvir

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Famciclovir is dosed at 10–30 mg/kg PO q24h in eastern box turtles, per 302. Sim RR, Allender MC, Crawford LK, et al. Ranavirus epizootic in captive Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) with concurrent herpesvirus and Mycoplasma infection: management and monitoring. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2016;47:256-270. — Source: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1404. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antiviral

Routes

Indications

FHV-1 dermatitisFHV-1 infectionsFHV-1 ophthalmologic (keratitis)herpesvirus (TeHV-1)

Mechanism of Action

Prodrug of penciclovir. Inhibits viral DNA polymerase in herpesvirus. Used for feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) infections.

Side effects & warnings

First-line antiviral for FHV-1 in cats. Higher doses needed in cats (90mg/kg) due to lower conversion to penciclovir. Well tolerated. May cause GI upset.

Species with Famciclovir dosing data (4 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Eastern Box Turtle

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Eastern Box Turtle drugs

Evidence levels across 4 dose rules

Weak×2Strong×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 4 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	90 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	Sebbag L, Thomasy SM, Woodward AP, Knych HK, Maggs DJ. Pharmacokinetic modeling of penciclovir and BRL42359 in the plasma and tears of healthy cats to optimize dosage recommendations for oral administration of famciclovir. Am J Vet Res. 2016;77(8):833-845. doi:10.2460/ajvr.77.8.833 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.498, Famciclovir monograph.
Cat (Domestic)	PO	40–90 mg/kg	q8-12h	Strong	Sebbag L, Thomasy SM, Woodward AP, Knych HK, Maggs DJ. Pharmacokinetic modeling of penciclovir and BRL42359 in the plasma and tears of healthy cats to optimize dosage recommendations for oral administration of famciclovir. Am J Vet Res. 2016;77(8):833-845. doi:10.2460/ajvr.77.8.833 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.498, Famciclovir monograph.

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Backed by 3 published sourcesShow

· 302. Sim RR, Allender MC, Crawford LK, et al. Ranavirus epizootic in captive Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) with concurrent herpesvirus and Mycoplasma infection: management and monitoring. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2016;47:256-270. — Source: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1404
· Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed. (2016), printed p.310 — Small Animal Dosage, Cats: "Treatment of feline herpes: 62.5 mg per cat PO q8h for 3 weeks. However, a higher dose of 125 mg […]" Same monograph, printed p.309: "higher doses of 125 mg or more every 8-12 hours are now recommended based on clinical observations"; Instructions for Use, p.309: "a higher dose of 125 mg per cat every 8-12 hours oral was more effective."
· Sebbag L, Thomasy SM, Woodward AP, Knych HK, Maggs DJ. Pharmacokinetic modeling of penciclovir and BRL42359 in the plasma and tears of healthy cats to optimize dosage recommendations for oral administration of famciclovir. Am J Vet Res. 2016;77(8):833-845. doi:10.2460/ajvr.77.8.833 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.498, Famciclovir monograph.

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