Treatment of Herpes Simplex Labialis with Topical Acyclovir in Polyethylene Glycol

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of topical 5% acyclovir (ACV) in polyethylene glycol (PEG) was carried out among 208 patients who had an episode of herpes simplex labialis. Patients who were treated with ACV had a greater decrease in median titers of virus in lesions between the first and second visits to the clinic than did patients who were treated with placebo (−1.5 log pfu [plaque-forming units] vs. −0.2 log pfu; P = 0.04). The antiviral effect occurred in the subgroup of patients who entered the study 0–8 hr after the onset of lesions. No differences were noted in the remaining patients who began treatment 9–25 hr after onset. An examination of the subgroup who had virus-positive specimens before treatment revealed prominent and more statistically significant virologic differences between treatment groups. No clinical benefit from treatment with ACV was observed; however, the present study describes the first antiviral effect of topical treatment for recurrent herpes labialis and identifies treatment strategies for future studies.