Valacyclovir in the treatment of facial herpes simplex virus infection.
Author(s): Laiskonis A, Thune T, Neldam S, Hiltunen-Back E
Affiliation(s): Kaunas Medical University, Kaunas 3021, Lithuania. infectkl@kma.lt
Publication date & source: 2002-10-15, J Infect Dis., 186 Suppl 1:S66-70.
Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial
The objective of this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial was to investigate valacyclovir as treatment for facial herpes simplex virus (HSV) outbreaks. In total, 308 otherwise healthy outpatients self-initiated therapy with valacyclovir, either 1000 mg twice daily for 1 day or 500 mg twice daily for 3 days, for treatment of one facial HSV episode. Aborted lesions were the primary end point. Secondary end points included episode and pain resolution and lesion healing. By regimen (1 or 3 days), aborted lesions occurred in 42.2% versus 46.7% of patients, treatment difference, -4.5% (95% confidence interval, -16.3% to 7.4%; P=.49). Subgroup findings showed that about half the episodes aborted when therapy started during the prodrome/macule stages or within 6 h of first symptoms. Episode and pain resolved rapidly, with results similar for both treatments. Adverse events were infrequent and similar for the two regimens.
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