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Original Article
Famciclovir for ophthalmic zoster: a randomised aciclovir controlled study
  1. Stephen Tyringa,
  2. Reinhard Engstb,
  3. Christine Corriveauc,
  4. Nicole Robillardc,
  5. Sylvie Trottierd,
  6. Steven Van Slyckene,
  7. Rachel A Crannf,
  8. Leslie A Lockef,
  9. Robin Saltzmanf,
  10. Alan G Palestine for the Collaborative Famciclovir Ophthalmic Zoster Research Groupg,150
  1. aUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA, bDermatological Hospital of the Technical University, Munich, Germany, cNotre Dame Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, dCentre Hôpital de l'Université Laval, Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada, eGent, Belgium, fSmithKline Beecham, Collegeville, PA, USA, gGeorgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
  1. Alan G Palestine, MD, 1145 19th Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC, 20036, USAapalest{at}erols.com

Abstract

AIMS To compare the efficacy and safety of famciclovir with aciclovir for the treatment of ophthalmic zoster.

METHODS Randomised, double masked, aciclovir controlled, parallel group in 87 centres worldwide including 454 patients with ophthalmic zoster of trigeminal nerve (V1) comprised the intent to treat population. Oral famciclovir 500 mg three times daily or oral aciclovir 800 mg five times daily for 7 days. Assessments included day 0 (screening), days 3 and 7 (during treatment), days 10, 14, 21, 28 and monthly thereafter, up to 6 months (follow up). Proportion of patients who experienced ocular manifestations, severe manifestations and non-severe manifestations; loss of visual acuity was the main outcome measure.

RESULTS The percentage of patients who experienced one or more ocular manifestations was similar for famciclovir (142/245, 58.0%) and aciclovir (114/196, 58.2%) recipients, with no significant difference between groups (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.68, 1.45). The percentage of patients who experiencedsevere andnon-severe manifestations was similar between groups, with no significant difference. The prevalence of individual ocular manifestations was comparable between groups. There was no significant difference between groups for visual acuity loss.

CONCLUSION Famciclovir 500 mg three times daily was well tolerated and demonstrated efficacy similar to aciclovir 800 mg five times daily.

  • famciclovir
  • aciclovir
  • ophthalmic zoster

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.85.5.576

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