Famciclovir is classified as which type of medication?

Famciclovir is classified as an antiviral medication specifically used to treat infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is responsible for chickenpox and shingles. It functions by inhibiting viral DNA synthesis, ultimately limiting the replication of these viruses. This mechanism is crucial in managing outbreaks of herpes and alleviating symptoms associated with these viral infections.

The other options are centered around different types of medications or target diseases. For example, antiviral medications for HIV would include classes like non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or protease inhibitors, which are distinct from the action of famciclovir. Similarly, antiviral treatments for influenza involve different mechanisms and drug classes. Antibiotics target bacterial infections rather than viral ones, making them inappropriate for treating HSV or VZV. Thus, famciclovir's specific action against HSV and VZV clearly places it in the category of antiviral medications for those viruses.