Safety of acyclovir in general practice: a review of the literature.
Published data has been reviewed with the intent to determine the safety with which topical or oral acyclovir may be prescribed to immunocompetent patients outside specialist centres. The extent of the pre- and post-marketing development programme has made it possible to assess the main adverse effects associated with the drug, including the effects of high dosage, prolonged treatment and maternal exposure during the course of pregnancy. Possible risk factors are discussed and the overall reliability of the observations are considered. In conclusion it appears that with certain precautions there is little risk attached to the wider use of these formulations of acyclovir.
Girard
M
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Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacovigilance, 4 Square Paul Fort, 78760-Pontchartrain, France.