title: Oral (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine treatment of severe herpes zoster in cancer patients.
abstract: BVDU [(E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine] is a highly potent and selective anti-herpes drug. It is particularly active against Varicella zoster virus, as demonstrated in cell culture and animals (monkeys). BVDU has been administered orally, at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg/day for 5 days, to 20 patients with severe localised or disseminated Herpes zoster. All patients had a malignant disorder for which they had been given intensive chemo- or radiotherapy. Upon BVDU treatment a rapid cessation of the acute Herpes zoster episode was noted in all but one patient. In the majority of patients progression of the infection was arrested within 1 day of starting treatment. No toxic side-effects could be attributed to the drug at the dosage used.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; C020235:brivudine; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine