title: Oral acyclovir and herpes labialis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: A study of the effects of oral acyclovir (200 mg), administered five times per day for 5 days in 210 patients who cultured positive for herpes labialis, is made. A total of 149 patients were followed through three episodes each of herpes labialis while taking a placebo or acyclovir. Patients were evaluated for several clinical parameters, including the loss of lesion crust and reduction of the size of the area of the lesion between day 1 and day 5. Acyclovir showed a significant antiviral effect. Results show that oral acyclovir can favorably affect some parameters, but that higher doses or a "loading dose" could improve its efficacy.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Raborn
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: McGaw
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Samuels
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D000212:Acyclovir