Famciclovir for the treatment of acute herpes zoster: Effects on acute disease and post-herpetic neuralgia

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dc.contributor.authorTyring, S.
dc.contributor.authorBarbarash, R.
dc.contributor.authorNahlik, J.
dc.contributor.authorCunningham, A.
dc.contributor.authorMarley, J.
dc.contributor.authorHeng, M.
dc.contributor.authorJones, T.
dc.contributor.authorRea, T.
dc.contributor.authorBoon, R.
dc.contributor.authorSaltzman, R.
dc.date.issued1995
dc.description.abstract<h4>Objective</h4>To document the effects of treatment with famciclovir on the acute signs and symptoms of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.<h4>Design</h4>A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.<h4>Setting</h4>36 centers in the United States, Canada, and Australia.<h4>Patients</h4>419 immunocompetent adults with uncomplicated herpes zoster.<h4>Intervention</h4>Patients were assigned within 72 hours of rash onset to famciclovir, 500 mg; famciclovir, 750 mg; or placebo, three times daily for 7 days.<h4>Measurements</h4>Lesions were assessed daily for as long as 14 days until full crusting occurred and then weekly until the lesions healed. Viral cultures were obtained daily while vesicles were present. Pain was assessed at each of the visits at which lesions were examined and then monthly for 5 months after the lesions healed. Safety was assessed throughout the study.<h4>Results</h4>Famciclovir was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of placebo. Famciclovir accelerated lesion healing and reduced the duration of viral shedding. Most importantly, famciclovir recipients had faster resolution of postherpetic neuralgia (approximately twofold faster) than placebo recipients; differences between the placebo group and both the 500-mg famciclovir group (hazard ratio, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.1 to 2.7]) and the 750-mg famciclovir group (hazard ratio, 1.9 [CI, 1.2 to 2.9]) were statistically significant (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). The median duration of postherpetic neuralgia was reduced by approximately 2 months.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Oral famciclovir, 500 mg or 750 mg three times daily for 7 days, is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for herpes zoster that decreases the duration of the disease's most debilitating complication, postherpetic neuralgia.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityStephen Tyring; Rick A. Barbarash; James E. Nahlik; Anthony Cunningham; John Marley; Madalene Heng; Terry Jones; Ted Rea; Ron Boon; Robin Saltzman, The Collaborative Famciclovir Herpes Zoster Study Group
dc.identifier.citationAnnals of Internal Medicine, 1995; 123(2):89-96
dc.identifier.doi10.7326/0003-4819-123-2-199507150-00002
dc.identifier.issn0003-4819
dc.identifier.issn1539-3704
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/6056
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAnnuals of Internal Medicine
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-123-2-199507150-00002
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectHerpesvirus 3, Human
dc.subjectHerpes Zoster
dc.subjectNeuralgia
dc.subjectAcute Disease
dc.subject2-Aminopurine
dc.subjectAntiviral Agents
dc.subjectPatient Compliance
dc.subjectVirus Shedding
dc.subjectTime Factors
dc.subjectMiddle Aged
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectFamciclovir
dc.titleFamciclovir for the treatment of acute herpes zoster: Effects on acute disease and post-herpetic neuralgia
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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