New approach to preventing cold sores

Once-a-day treatment with the antiviral valaciclovir can help to prevent recurrent cold sores, according to new research.

Participants in a large-scale study of valaciclovir were assessed for outbreaks of oral herpes simplex virus (HSV). As part of a larger study of the effect of valaciclovir on genital herpes transmission, 340 participants, who were HSV-1 positive and had a history of cold sores, were assigned to receive either 500mg valaciclovir once daily or a placebo (dummy pill). After eight months, almost half (47%) of the group receiving placebo experienced an outbreak of cold sores, compared with just 28% of the group receiving valaciclovir. Valaciclovir was well tolerated. The authors of the study conclude that oral valaciclovir is effective and well tolerated for the prevention of recurrent cold sores.

Reference

Strand A, Tyring S, Poder A, Morel P, Harris J and Sacks S on behalf of the Valaciclovir HSV Study Group presented at the 12th EADV, Barcelona October 15th - 18th, 2003.