Topically administered acyclovir in the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex genitalis: a controlled trial

Eighty-eight patients with culture-proven recurrent herpes simplex genitalis were entered into a collaborative, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a topical formulation of acyclovir. Patients entered the study within 48 hr of the onset of lesions, and the study medication was applied six times daily for five days. The duration of virus shedding from lesions present at the time of entry into the study was significantly reduced for men who received acyclovir compared with men who received placebo (P less than 0.05). There were no significant differences between the acyclovir- and placebo-treated groups of either sex in time to crusting of lesions, time required for lesions to heal, time to cessation of pain, or in frequency with which new lesions developed during the course of therapy. Mild, transient burning or pain associated with application of the study medication was a common complaint.