A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Topical Acyclovir, Penciclovir, and Docosanol for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Labialis
Background: Herpes simplex labialis is a common skin condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. The prescription of antivirals for the treatment of herpes labialis is common. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the available evidence on the treatment of herpes simple...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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European Medical Journal
2018-10-01
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| Series: | European Medical Journal Dermatology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.emjreviews.com/dermatology/article/a-systematic-review-on-the-efficacy-of-topical-acyclovir-penciclovir-and-docosanol-for-the-treatment-of-herpes-simplex-labialis/ |
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| author | Kimberly D.P. Hammer Jessica Dietz Tze Shien Lo Erika M. Johnson |
| author_facet | Kimberly D.P. Hammer Jessica Dietz Tze Shien Lo Erika M. Johnson |
| author_sort | Kimberly D.P. Hammer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Herpes simplex labialis is a common skin condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. The prescription of antivirals for the treatment of herpes labialis is common. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the available evidence on the treatment of herpes simplex labialis with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved topical antibiotics.
Methods: The literature search included searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This review included studies that examined herpes labialis lesions and treatment with topical acyclovir, penciclovir, or docosanol in at least one of the study arms.
Results: Of the 1,485 papers initially identified, 20 papers representing 19 randomised controlled trials and one quasi-randomised trial met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review.
Conclusion: Our systematic review of the clinical studies performed on the three topical antiherpetics, acyclovir, penciclovir, and docosanol, showed that their efficacy compared to placebo is marginal at best (shortening the duration of pain by <24 hours), although the three topical antiherpetic drugs have no serious adverse reactions and are safe to use. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T10:52:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e7f0f06f9af64d4097891d9f48209ca8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2054-6211 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T10:52:58Z |
| publishDate | 2018-10-01 |
| publisher | European Medical Journal |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Medical Journal Dermatology |
| spelling | doaj.art-e7f0f06f9af64d4097891d9f48209ca82022-12-21T23:05:07ZengEuropean Medical JournalEuropean Medical Journal Dermatology2054-62112018-10-0161118123A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Topical Acyclovir, Penciclovir, and Docosanol for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex LabialisKimberly D.P. Hammer0Jessica Dietz1Tze Shien Lo2Erika M. Johnson3Research Service, Fargo VA Health Care System, Fargo, North Dakota, USA; School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Fargo, North Dakota, USAPharmacy Service, Fargo VA Health Care System, Fargo, North Dakota, USASchool of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Fargo, North Dakota, USA; Infectious Disease Service, Fargo VA Health Care System, Fargo, North Dakota, USA School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Fargo, North Dakota, USABackground: Herpes simplex labialis is a common skin condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. The prescription of antivirals for the treatment of herpes labialis is common. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the available evidence on the treatment of herpes simplex labialis with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved topical antibiotics. Methods: The literature search included searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This review included studies that examined herpes labialis lesions and treatment with topical acyclovir, penciclovir, or docosanol in at least one of the study arms. Results: Of the 1,485 papers initially identified, 20 papers representing 19 randomised controlled trials and one quasi-randomised trial met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Conclusion: Our systematic review of the clinical studies performed on the three topical antiherpetics, acyclovir, penciclovir, and docosanol, showed that their efficacy compared to placebo is marginal at best (shortening the duration of pain by <24 hours), although the three topical antiherpetic drugs have no serious adverse reactions and are safe to use.https://www.emjreviews.com/dermatology/article/a-systematic-review-on-the-efficacy-of-topical-acyclovir-penciclovir-and-docosanol-for-the-treatment-of-herpes-simplex-labialis/herpes labialistopical antibioticstreatment |
| spellingShingle | Kimberly D.P. Hammer Jessica Dietz Tze Shien Lo Erika M. Johnson A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Topical Acyclovir, Penciclovir, and Docosanol for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Labialis European Medical Journal Dermatology herpes labialis topical antibiotics treatment |
| title | A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Topical Acyclovir, Penciclovir, and Docosanol for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Labialis |
| title_full | A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Topical Acyclovir, Penciclovir, and Docosanol for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Labialis |
| title_fullStr | A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Topical Acyclovir, Penciclovir, and Docosanol for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Labialis |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Topical Acyclovir, Penciclovir, and Docosanol for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Labialis |
| title_short | A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Topical Acyclovir, Penciclovir, and Docosanol for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Labialis |
| title_sort | systematic review on the efficacy of topical acyclovir penciclovir and docosanol for the treatment of herpes simplex labialis |
| topic | herpes labialis topical antibiotics treatment |
| url | https://www.emjreviews.com/dermatology/article/a-systematic-review-on-the-efficacy-of-topical-acyclovir-penciclovir-and-docosanol-for-the-treatment-of-herpes-simplex-labialis/ |
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