title: Efficacy and safety of valacyclovir for the suppression and episodic treatment of herpes simplex virus in patients with HIV.
abstract: Three randomized controlled trials of valacyclovir for the management of recurrences of genital herpes in HIV-infected persons were conducted between 1991 and 2002. One study evaluated episodic therapy for the treatment of genital herpes, and 2 studies evaluated continuous suppressive therapy. Valacyclovir at 1000 mg twice daily for 5 days was comparable to acyclovir at 200 mg 5 times daily in accelerating healing of a single episode of genital herpes (hazard ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8-1.2; P=.89). Valacyclovir at 500 mg twice daily was effective in preventing or delaying recurrences of genital herpes compared with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.13-0.30; P<.001) and with valacyclovir at 1000 mg once daily (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.40-0.80; P=.001), in 6-month and 48-week studies, respectively. The safety profile of valacyclovir was similar to that of acyclovir. Valacyclovir is well tolerated, safe, and effective for the treatment and suppression of recurrent genital herpes in human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons.
authors.affiliation: Westover Heights Clinic, 2330 NW Flanders, Ste. 207, Portland, OR 97210, USA. TWESTOVER@aol.com
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Clare A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir