Journal
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Volume 181, Issue 6, Pages 1906-1910Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1086/315528
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To investigate the efficacy of corticosteroids for the treatment of herpes labialis, we compared famciclovir (Famvir, 500 mg 3x/day po [per os] for 5 days) and topical fluocinonide (0.05% Lidex Gel 3x/day for 5 days) with famciclovir and topical vehicle control for experimental ultraviolet radiation-induced herpetic recurrences. We irradiated 49 volunteers, and 29 (60%) of 48 developed signs or symptoms of a recurrence. They self-initiated treatment, and we were able to evaluate them. There was a trend in the combination group toward more aborted lesions, compared with those who received antiviral therapy alone (7 [41%] of 17 vs. 1 [8%] of 12; P = .09). Combination therapy significantly reduced the median maximum lesion size (48 vs. 162 mm(2); P = .02) and the number of patients who experienced lesion pain (10 [59%] of 17 vs. 12 [100%] of 12; P = .02). Adverse events were minimal. Corticosteroids in combination with an antiviral agent may be safe and beneficial for episodic treatment of herpes labialis. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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