title: Placebo-controlled trial of topical interferon in labial and genital herpes.
abstract: The efficacy of topical interferon-beta (IFN-beta) treatment was assessed in 25 patients with herpes of the lips or genitals who completed a 2-year follow-up in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. IFN-beta gel (10(5) U/g) 4 times daily (about 2 x 10(4) U) applied locally during eruptions (about 10 days) reduced the mean number of recurrences (p less than 0.007) and the duration of eruptions (p less than 0.007): in the placebo group these indices did not change significantly. Reduction of symptoms and severity was noted in 11 of 12 patients on IFN-beta and in only 1 on placebo. No important side-effects were recorded. Topical IFN-beta may therefore be advantageous as a time-limited local treatment of recurrent herpes simplex virus infections of the genitals and lips.
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000628:therapy*; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I