Denavir Drug Information
Generic name: PENCICLOVIR
Herpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor [EPC]
Uses of Denavir
is a deoxynucleoside analog HSV DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in adults and children 12 years of age or older. DENAVIR ® is a deoxynucleoside analog HSV DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in adults and pediatric patients12 years of age and older.
Dosage & Administration of Denavir
- Apply DENAVIR every 2 hours during waking hours for a period of 4 days. Start treatment as early as possible (i.e., during the prodrome or when lesions appear).
- Apply DENAVIR every 2 hours during waking hours for a period of 4 days ( 2 ).
- Start treatment as early as possible (i.e., during the prodrome or when lesions appear). ( 2 )
Side Effects of Denavir
- One or more local skin reactions were reported by 3% of the subjects treated with DENAVIR and 4% of placebo-treated patients. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Mylan at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. In two double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, 1,516 patients were treated with DENAVIR (penciclovir cream) and 1,541 with placebo. One or more local adverse reactions were reported by 3% of the patients treated with DENAVIR and 4% of placebo-treated patients. The rates of reported local adverse reactions are shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 - Local Adverse Reactions Reported in Phase III Trials Penciclovir N=1,516 % Placebo N=1,541 % Application site reaction 1 2 Hypesthesia/Local anesthesia <1 <1 Taste perversion <1 <1 Rash (erythematous) <1 <1 Two studies, enrolling 108 healthy subjects, were conducted to evaluate the dermal tolerance of 5% penciclovir cream (a 5-fold higher concentration than the commercial formulation) compared to vehicle using repeated occluded patch testing methodology. The 5% penciclovir cream induced mild erythema in approximately one-half of the subjects exposed, an irritancy profile similar to the vehicle control in terms of severity and proportion of subjects with a response. No evidence of sensitization was observed. 6.2 Post-Marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of DENAVIR. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following events have been identified from worldwide post-marketing use of DENAVIR in treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in adults. These events have been chosen for inclusion due to a combination of their seriousness, frequency of reporting, or potential causal connection to DENAVIR. General: Headache, oral/pharyngeal edema, parosmia. Skin: Aggravated condition, decreased therapeutic response, local edema, pain, paresthesia, pruritus, skin discoloration, and urticaria.
Warnings & Cautions for Denavir
- Only for topical use of herpes labialis on the lips and face. ( 5 ) 5.1 General DENAVIR should only be used on herpes labialis on the lips and face. Because no data are available, application to human mucous membranes is not recommended. Particular care should be taken to avoid application in or near the eyes since it may cause irritation. Lesions that do not improve or that worsen on therapy should be evaluated for secondary bacterial infection. The effect of DENAVIR has not been established in immunocompromised patients.
Drug Interactions with Denavir
No drug interaction studies have been performed with DENAVIR. Due to minimal systemic absorption of DENAVIR, systemic drug interactions are unlikely.
Pregnancy Safety for Denavir
Pregnancy Risk Summary DENAVIR is not absorbed systemically following topical administration and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug.
Pediatric Use of Denavir
Pediatric Use An open-label, uncontrolled trial with penciclovir cream 1% was conducted in 102 subjects, ages 12-17 years, with recurrent herpes labialis. The frequency of adverse events was generally similar to the frequency previously reported for adult patients. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age have not been established.
Contraindications for Denavir
- is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the product or any of its components.
- Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the product or any of its components. ( 4 )
Overdosage Information for Denavir
Since penciclovir is poorly absorbed following oral administration, adverse reactions related to penciclovir ingestion are unlikely. There is no information on overdose.
Clinical Studies of Denavir
was studied in two double-blind, placebo (vehicle)-controlled trials for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis in which otherwise healthy adults were randomized to either DENAVIR or placebo. Therapy was to be initiated by the subjects within 1 hour of noticing signs or symptoms and continued for 4 days, with application of study medication every 2 hours while awake. In both studies, the mean duration of lesions was approximately one-half-day shorter in the subjects treated with DENAVIR (N=1,516) as compared to subjects treated with placebo (N=1,541) (approximately 4.5 days versus 5 days, respectively). The mean duration of lesion pain was also approximately one half-day shorter in the DENAVIR group compared to the placebo group.
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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