IngentaConnect Single-dose famciclovir for the treatment of herpes labialis

Authors: Hull, Christopher¹; Spruance, Spotswood²; Tyring, Stephen³; Hamed, Kamal⁴

Source: Current Medical Research and Opinion, Volume 22, Number 9, September 2006 , pp. 1699-1702(4)

Publisher: LibraPharm

Abstract:

Background: Approximately 20% to 40% of the population experience recurrent herpes labialis caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Since there is no cure, patients typically use antiviral therapy to treat outbreaks as they occur. A large proportion of patients self-administer topical antiviral therapies at the onset of symptoms, but lack of efficacy, frequent dosing, and inconvenient long-term treatment regimens have made the use of oral antiviral therapies more common. Valacyclovir is currently the only oral antiviral approved for the treatment of herpes labialis in immunocompetent individuals. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of famciclovir suggests that it could be utilized for episodic treatment for immunocompetent individuals as well.

Findings: A recent study comparing single-dose vs. single-day bid famciclovir and placebo in the treatment of herpes labialis demonstrated single-dose famciclovir to be as efficacious as single-day bid dosing in time to healing of lesions and more efficacious than single-day bid famciclovir in time to resolution of pain and tenderness. Both were statistically superior to placebo. When results of this study were compared with recently published results of other frequently prescribed treatments, single-dose famciclovir appeared to produce similar or better improvements in healing time and duration of pain.

Conclusions: Single-dose famciclovir appears to be an effective, convenient therapy for recurrent herpes labialis. The convenience of single-dose therapy may lead to better overall management of the condition.

Keywords: ANTIVIRAL; COLD SORES; FAMCICLOVIR; HERPES LABIALIS

Document Type: Commentary

DOI: 10.1185/030079906X120922

Affiliations: 1: Department of Dermatology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 2: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 3: Departments of Dermatology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA 4: Infectious Diseases, Transplantation and Immunology Unit, Novartis, East Hanover, NJ, USA

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