Silica gel is as effective as acyclovir cream in patients with recurrent herpes labialis: results of a randomized, open-label trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare silica gel with acyclovir cream in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis.


METHODS
In this randomized, open-label, comparator-controlled trial, 74 patients with recurrent herpes labialis applied silica gel or acyclovir cream respectively over a period of 10 days. The treatment started within 24 hours of the first symptoms of a new recurrence. Patients rated five symptoms (tautness, tingling, itching, burning sensation, pain), lesion stage, efficacy, tolerability, and duration until the onset of improvement. Their willingness-to-pay was assessed. Physicians rated the severity of the herpes recurrence and efficacy.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between silica gel and acyclovir cream in the overall patients' assessment. There is evidence that silica gel relieved all investigated symptoms earlier than acyclovir cream. The efficacy and tolerability of both medications were rated as good to very good.


CONCLUSIONS
Silica gel was as effective in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis as acyclovir and equally well tolerated and tended to take effect more quickly. Therefore, silica gel could prove a useful alternative to topical acyclovir.
Zschocke
Ina
I
SCIderm Institute for Clinical Research, Hamburg, Germany.
Reich
Christine
C
Zielke
Andrea
A
Reitmeier
Nadja
N
Reich
Kristian
K
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000191:economics; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D058428:Silica Gel; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005782:Gels; D058428:Silica Gel; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D000212:Acyclovir