AIMS To compare the efficacy and safety of famciclovir with aciclovir for the treatment of ophthalmic zoster. METHODS Randomised, double masked, aciclovir controlled, parallel group in 87 centres worldwide including 454 patients with ophthalmic zoster of trigeminal nerve (V(1)) comprised the intent to treat population. Oral famciclovir 500 mg three times daily or oral aciclovir 800 mg five ti...

BACKGROUND Skin and mucosal herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) shedding predominantly occurs in short subclinical episodes. We assessed whether standard-dose or high-dose antiviral therapy reduces the frequency of such shedding. METHODS HSV-2-seropositive, HIV-seronegative people were enrolled at the University of Washington Virology Research Clinic (WA, USA). We did three separate but compl...

physicians. Main outcome measures: Use of antiviral therapies for genital HSV infections in HIV positive patients, reported frequency of aciclovir refractory HSV infection, its therapy, and access to antiviral susceptibility testing facilities. Results: 53 responses were obtained (response rate 61%), representing a sample size of 23% of United Kingdom HIV physicians. Use of non-standard antivir...

The persistence of protective immunity after postexposure prophylaxis against varicella using oral aciclovir was evaluated in the family setting. Sixty one of 78 recipients of oral aciclovir were assessed by questionnaire, and 13 of 61 were evaluated for serum antibody to varicella zoster virus (VZV) using the fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen method. The observation period ranged from 3...

An immunocompetent woman presented with a hypersensitivity skin reaction following suppressive therapy with aciclovir for recurrent culture proved genital herpes simplex virus infection. She developed a similar reaction when treatment was changed to famciclovir. Without antiviral suppression her recurrences were frequent and distressing. Graded challenge was performed and she became tolerant to...

Aciclovir is rapidly absorbed from the ophthalmic ointment through the corneal epithelium and superficial ocular tissues with the result that viral toxic concentrations are achieved in the aqueous humor. It has not been possible to detect aciclovir in the blood by existing methods after topical application of ZOVIRAX Ophthalmic Ointment, but trace quantities are detectable in the urine. These l...

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) were prepared by dissolving Cremophor EL, Tween 20, Tween 80 and Span 80 (1% or 5%) in oils (Miglyol 812 or castor oil). Solubilities of three ophthalmic drugs, namely aciclovir, hydrocortisone and indomethacin were determined in these systems. In addition, the effect of a small amount of water (0.5% and 2%) on solubilization properties of the syst...

BACKGROUND Topical or systemic antiviral drugs reduce the duration of genital herpes recurrences but may not always alleviate functional symptoms. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of oxygenated glycerol triesters-based CS21 barrier genital gel(®) vs. topical aciclovir and placebo (vehicle) in resolving functional symptoms and in healing of genital herpes recurrences. METHODS A p...

Background and objectives This controlled single-blind trial compared the efficacy of a lip balm with propolis special extract GH 2002 at a concentration of 0.5% in the treatment of episodes of herpes labialis with that of 5% aciclovir cream. Methods Patients in the erythematous/papular stage were randomized: 189 patients were treated with propolis cream, 190 patients were treated with aciclo...