Famciclovir for ophthalmic tester: a randomised aciclovir controlled study

Aims-To compare the efficacy and safety of famciclovir with aciclovir for t he treatment of ophthalmic tester. Methods-Randomised, double masked, aciclovir controlled, parallel group in 87 centres worldwide including 454 patients with ophthalmic tester of trige minal nerve (V-1) comprised the intent to treat population. Oral famciclovi r 500 mg three times daily or oral aciclovir 800 mg five times daily for 7 days. Assessments included day 0 (screening), days 3 and 7 (during treatmen t), days 10, 14, 21, 28 and monthly thereafter, up to 6 months (follow up). Proportion of patients who experienced ocular manifestations, severe manif estations and non-severe manifestations; loss of visual acuity was the main outcome measure. Results-The percentage of patients who experienced one or more ocular manif estations was similar for famciclovir (142/245, 58.0%) and aciclovir (114/1 96, 58.2%) recipients, with no significant difference between groups (OR 0. 99; 95% CI 0.68, 1.45). The percentage of patients who experienced severe a nd non-severe manifestations was similar between groups, with no significan t difference. The prevalence of individual ocular manifestations was compar able between groups. There was no significant difference between groups for visual acuity loss. Conclusion-Famciclovir 500 mg three times daily was well tolerated and demo nstrated efficacy similar to aciclovir 800 mg five times daily.