Study shows effectiveness of single-day regimen for genital herpes

Winnipeg, Manitoba -- Results of a new study show that patient-initiated, single-day treatment with the antiviral drug famciclovir is effective for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes.

According to the study's lead author, Fred Y. Aoki, M.D., of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, the medication must be started within six hours of the recurrence's onset.

The current approved regimen for famciclovir is 125 milligrams twice daily for five days. Dr. Aoki and his colleagues tested the efficacy and safety of administering 1,000 milligrams of famciclovir twice daily for one day, compared with an inactive placebo in 320 patients, who were instructed to begin taking the drug within six hours of symptoms appearing.

Among patients who took the drug, non-aborted lesions -- those who went beyond the initial stage -- lasted a median of 4.3 days compared with 6.1 days for those who took the placebo. Both aborted and non-aborted lesions lasted 3.5 days among patients given famciclovir compared to five days for those who took the placebo; 23.3 percent of the patients taking the drug had aborted lesions, compared with 12.7 percent of those who took the placebo.

The study concluded that the more convenient single-day regimen has the potential to improve patient compliance and satisfaction with therapy.