Last update Feb. 11, 2025

Penciclovir

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Penciclovir is a guanine-related nucleoside analog with actions similar to acyclovir. It is active against herpes viruses (Simplex 1 and 2 and zoster-varicella). It is applied topically as a cream for cold sores and orally as its prodrug famciclovir.

At the date of last update we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk. 

After topical use, even at high doses, plasma levels are undetectable (FDA 2013, AEMPS 2011), so it cannot be excreted in breast milk. 

In addition, its low oral bioavailability would mean that the passage to infant plasma from ingested breast milk would be very low. 

The application of creams, gels and other locally applied products containing kerosene (mineral oil) on the nipple should be avoided so that it is not absorbed by the infant (Concin 2008, Noti 2003). If penciclovir is applied on the nipple, do it after a feeding and clean it well with water before the next feeding.

Alternatives

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Penciclovir in other languages or writings:

Groups

Penciclovir belongs to these groups or families:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 2 %
Molecular weight 237 daltons
Protein Binding 20 %
Tmax 0.5 - 0.75 hours
T½ 2 hours

References

  1. FDA. Penciclovir. Drug Summary. 2013 Full text (in our servers)
  2. AEMPS. Penciclovir. Ficha técnica. 2011 Full text (in our servers)
  3. Concin N, Hofstetter G, Plattner B, Tomovski C, Fiselier K, Gerritzen K, Fessler S, Windbichler G, Zeimet A, Ulmer H, Siegl H, Rieger K, Concin H, Grob K. Mineral oil paraffins in human body fat and milk. Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Abstract
  4. Noti A, Grob K, Biedermann M, Deiss U, Brüschweiler BJ. Exposure of babies to C15-C45 mineral paraffins from human milk and breast salves. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2003 Abstract
  5. Mactal-Haaf C, Hoffman M, Kuchta A. Use of anti-infective agents during lactation, Part 3: Antivirals, antifungals, and urinary antiseptics. J Hum Lact. 2001 Abstract
  6. Pue MA, Pratt SK, Fairless AJ, Fowles S, Laroche J, Georgiou P, Prince W. Linear pharmacokinetics of penciclovir following administration of single oral doses of famciclovir 125, 250, 500 and 750 mg to healthy volunteers. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1994 Abstract

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