Australian Herpes Management Forum

News: Single-dose treatment for cold sores reduces healing time by two days

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Approximately one-third of Australian adults with recurrent cold sore outbreaks can now benefit from the first antiviral tablet treatment for herpes labialis (cold sores).

Single-dose famciclovir 1500 mg statim (Famvir 3 x 500 mg tablets in a single dose) is a new systemic option for the episodic treatment of herpes labialis that has been shown to reduce the healing time of lesions by approximately two days.¹.

Patients with cold sores are often troubled by significant irritation, pain, discomfort and loss of self-esteem. Many have problems remembering to apply topical antiviral creams every few hours and frequently fail to finish their treatment. This single-dose course means that all three tablets are combined into one to be taken at once.

Replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) peaks in the first 24 hours after lesion onset². Patients should treat as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms (e.g. tingling, itching, burning or signs of redness or swelling) for optimal treatment benefit.³

"Ideally, patients should initiate therapy as soon as possible after onset of prodromal symptoms. The best results are achieved if this is done within an hour," said Dr Bodsworth, Sexual Health Physician from the Taylor Square Private Clinic, Darlinghurst, Sydney, investigator and co-author of the study. The early and brief period of time that viral replication dominates over the rapidly developing host immune response provides a clinical window of opportunity.¹

Systemic single-dose treatment has also been shown to reduce the frequency of secondary lesions which develop away from the initial sores after therapy has been commenced by almost half.¹ "Our results showed that the systemic treatment reduced the frequency of secondary cold sore lesions on or around the lips by 50 per cent. This is hugely significant and so contrasts favourably with topical creams," said Dr Bodsworth.

Prescribing Information

This product is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Single-dose famciclovir (Famvir 1500mg statim) is available on private prescription in a pack of 3 tablets. The cost to patients is approximately $29 for one treatment.

References

1. Spruance SL, Bodsworth N, Resnick H et al. Single-dose, patient-initiated famciclovir:A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial for episodic treatment of herpes labialis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2006: 55; 47-53.
2. Spruance SL, Overall JC Jr, Kern ER et al. The natural history of recurrent herpes simplex labialis. N Engl J Med 1977: 297; 69-75.
3. Famvir ® approved product information. 11 January, 2007.

 22 June 2007