EFFICACY OF 86C (ACYCLOVIR) CREAM 5-PERCENT COMPARED WITH ZOVIRAX(R) (ACYCLOVIR) CREAM 5-PERCENT IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT HERPES LABIALIS

This double-blind, crossover, Phase III study compared 86C (acyclovir) cream 5% with Zovirax(R) (acyclovir) cream 5% in patients with recurr ent herpes labialis. Both in vitro skin penetration tests and a guinea pig skin model infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 have shown a significantly shorter healing time with 86C than with Zovirax. The ai m of our study was to establish if this difference could be confirmed in patients suffering from recurrent herpes labialis. The patients had to experience two complete attacks of herpes labialis during the stud y, and were instructed to start the antiviral treatment at the very ea rly prodromal symptoms of each attack. Cream was applied to the lesion five times daily for 5 days. Results of 59 assessable patients showed no significant difference between the two cream formulations. The num ber of half days to healing was 10.47 for 86C and 10.12 for Zovirax. A total of 20 patients preferred 86C, 26 patients preferred Zovirax, an d 13 patients had no drug preference. Both drugs were shown to be effi cacious and safe. No adverse events occurred in this study.