Famciclovir

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A diacetyl 6-deoxy prodrug analog of the antiviral agent penciclovir. Orally administered, famciclovir in vivo is converted to penciclovir triphosphate, which is active against the Herpes viruses, including herpes simplex 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster. This agent inhibits the replication of viral DNA by interfering competitively with DNA polymerase. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - 2-(2-(2-Amino-9H-purin-9-yl)ethyl)-1,3-propanediol Diacetate (ester) - BRL 42810 - BRL-42810 - FAMCICLOVIR - Famvir