TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

DENAVIR (penciclovir)

DNA Polymerase Inhibitors
Infectious Disease Approved 1996-09-24

DENAVIR is indicated for the treatment of Herpes Labialis.

Source: FDA Label • Viatris • Herpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor

How DENAVIR Works

Penciclovir is an antiviral agent active against alpha herpes viruses. It works by inhibiting HSV DNA polymerase, an enzyme essential for viral DNA synthesis. By acting as a deoxynucleoside analog, it terminates chain elongation and prevents the virus from replicating within the host cells.

2
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
29
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1996-09-24
Routes
TOPICAL
Dosage Forms
CREAM

Companies

Active Ingredient: PENCICLOVIR

DENAVIR Approval History

1997
1998
1999
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2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
9 FDA actions from 1996 to 2018 · 1 indication expansions
Nov 2018 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Feb 2015 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)
Sep 2013 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What DENAVIR Treats

1 indications

DENAVIR is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 1996. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Herpes Labialis
Source: FDA Label

DENAVIR Competitive Set

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Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

Indication competitors

1

Same indication, different mechanism — what else might this patient receive?

Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to DENAVIR

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

FAMCICLOVIR
FAMCICLOVIR
1 shared
MACLEODS PHARMS LTD
Shared indications:
Herpes Labialis
PENCICLOVIR
PENCICLOVIR
1 shared
TORRENT
Shared indications:
Herpes Labialis
XERESE
ACYCLOVIR
1 shared
BAUSCH
Shared indications:
Herpes Labialis
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Clinical Trial Registry

1 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT00820534 results posted FPP4-DE-401 Ph 4 completed A Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Penciclovir 10mg/g (1%) Cream in Preventing the Appearance of Classical Lesion in Recurrent Cold Sore Sufferers
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

DENAVIR FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

DENAVIR is indicated for the treatment of Herpes Labialis.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.