Early, patient-initiated treatment of herpes labialis with topical 10% acyclovir.

Abstract

To determine whether topical acyclovir in polyethylene glycol could reduce the severity of herpes simplex labialis if applied immediately after onset of a recurrence, 10% acyclovir in polyethylene glycol ointment or polyethylene glycol alone was prospectively dispensed to 352 patients in a double-blind, randomized trial. Sixty-nine subjects initiated treatment in the prodrome (57%) or erythema (43%) stage and were followed by clinical and virological criteria. The healing time (6.0 days), maximum lesion area (42 mm2), vesicle or ulcer formation (91%), and maximum lesion virus titer (4.8 log10 PFU) in the drug recipients were not reduced in comparison with those who received the vehicle (5.2 days, 30 mm2, 75%, and 4.5 log10 PFU, respectively). Topical acyclovir in polyethylene glycol was ineffective for the treatment of herpes labialis despite an optimum therapeutic opportunity.

• Authors: S L Spruance, C S Crumpacker, L E Schnipper, E R Kern, S Marlowe, K A Arndt, J C Overall Jr
• Journal: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy (Antimicrob Agents Chemother) Vol. 25 Issue 5 Pg. 553-5 (May 1984) ISSN: 0066-4804 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6732224 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• Acyclovir

Topics

• Acyclovir (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Administration, Topical
• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Herpes Labialis (drug therapy, microbiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Placebos
• Time Factors
• Viral Plaque Assay