Consumer Information for: ACT FAMCICLOVIR

• Keep ACT FAMCICLOVIR in the bottle or package provided by the pharmacist.
• Store at room temperature (15-30°C).
• Protect from light.
• ACT FAMCICLOVIR must be kept out of the reach and sight of children.
• Don’t take your tablets if they are past their expiry date.
• Never let anyone else take your tablets, even if they have shingles as well.
• Finish all the tablets in the way you have been told.

More information about shingles.

What is shingles like?

• At first you might feel burning and tingly where the rash is coming. You may get pain for a few days before you see the rash.
• Most people with shingles get a blistery rash down one side of their body or face. This can be painful.
• New blisters will keep coming for about five days. After this, the blisters will dry to form scabs.
• You may feel weak and tired.
• The rash usually lasts for two to three weeks. Afterwards, people can have pain where the rash was, sometimes for several months.

Who gets shingles?
People of any age can get shingles. Most people who get it are middle-aged or older.
You can only get shingles if you have had chickenpox. 50% of people have had shingles by the age of 85.

What causes shingles?

• Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
• After you have had chickenpox, the inactive virus stays in your body.
• Many years later the virus can start to work again. This may happen when you are run down or tired.

How is shingles treated?
Tablets for shingles, such as ACT FAMCICLOVIR, stop the virus spreading. They cut down blistering and pain of the rash. They help you get better quicker if you take them early in your illness.

What else can you do?

• To stop the rash itching, have cool baths - do not use perfumed soap or bath oils. You can also put ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth on the rash, or cover it with a soothing lotion like calamine for the first three days.
• Keep the rash clean and dry.
• Wear loose clothes.
• Do not scratch the rash. It could get infected and take longer to get better.
• Rest when you feel tired.
• Try to eat well and drink plenty of fluids.
• Tell your doctor right away if you start to have trouble with your eyes. Shingles can sometimes cause eye problems which can be treated.

Can other people catch your shingles?
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Most doctors agree that people do not catch shingles from each other. When you have shingles, you can give chickenpox to someone who has never had chickenpox before - but this is unlikely.

What is Genital Herpes?

Genital Herpes is a viral infection of the genital (sex organ) area which is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. You might suspect the onset of this infection if you see the appearance of sores or blisters or feel a burning sensation in your genital region.

Type II herpes simplex virus is the main cause of the sores and blisters that develop in your genital area, but you can also catch genital herpes from herpes simplex Type I which can be the cause of cold sores which occur around your mouth.

Genital Herpes can occur as a first-episode attack or recurrent infection. Unlike many other viruses, recovery from the first attack does not leave you with lifelong protection from re- infection. The virus is able to remain hidden in the nerves after the initial infection and stays there until reactivated.
Since your body still carries the highly infectious virus, you can easily infect someone else, even if you feel fine and you have no symptoms of genital herpes. This explains why genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

The risk is higher for people who are more sexually active and have more sexual partners. It is therefore recommended that you avoid sexual activity if you or your partner have any symptoms of herpes, even if you have started your treatment.

"If you are taking ACT FAMCICLOVIR to treat or to suppress genital herpes, or you have had genital herpes in the past, you should still practice “safer sex”, including the use of condoms. This is important to prevent you passing the infection on to others.

While taking this medication:

• remember that your infection is contagious.
• tell any other doctor, pharmacist or dentist you see, that you are taking ACT FAMCICLOVIR.
• contact your doctor if you develop any unusual discomfort.
• you should not take ACT FAMCICLOVIR when pregnant or breast-feeding unless your doctor tells you to.
• do not give ACT FAMCICLOVIR to others because it may not be suitable for them.
• store your tablets in a dry place at room temperature in the original container provided by the pharmacy.
• keep this medication out of reach of children.
• read your prescription label carefully; consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or require further information.