Effectiveness of antiviral agents for the prevention of recurrent herpes labialis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to complete a systematic review and, if possible, a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of systemic and topical nucleoside antiviral agents in the prevention of recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) in immunocompetent subjects.

STUDY DESIGN:

Multiple comprehensive electronic and manual literature searches without language restrictions identified the studies to be included. Quality assessment and data synthesis methods followed those described in the Cochrane guidelines.

RESULTS:

Of 2,683 papers reviewed, 10 met the inclusion criteria. Oral acyclovir (800-1,600 mg daily) and valacyclovir (500 mg daily for 4 months) were shown to be effective in the prevention of RHL when taken prior to the appearance of any symptoms or exposure to triggers. Of the 10 papers reviewed, only 1 was determined to have a low risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS:

This review found support for the use of systemic acyclovir and valacyclovir for the prevention of RHL.

• Authors: Hanieh Rahimi, Tom Mara, John Costella, Mark Speechley, Richard Bohay
• Journal: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol) Vol. 113 Issue 5 Pg. 618-27 (May 2012) ISSN: 2212-4411 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22668620 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• 2-Aminopurine
• Valine
• Valacyclovir
• Famciclovir
• Acyclovir

Topics

• 2-Aminopurine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Acyclovir (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Famciclovir
• Herpes Labialis (prevention & control)
• Humans
• Likelihood Functions
• Publication Bias
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Secondary Prevention
• Valacyclovir
• Valine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)