ACYCLOVIR SUPPRESSES RECURRENCE OF GENITAL HERPES.

Oral acyclovir shortens the duration of first episodes of genital infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) and decreases recurrence rates over three to six months. This report demonstrates that acyclovir is safe and effective for up to one year.

Nearly 1000 adults with six or more episodes of genital herpes during the previous year were randomized to receive placebo or acyclovir (400 mg twice a day). After one year, 44 percent of the treated patients had had no recurrences, versus 2 percent of the controls. Once treatment was discontinued, the first recurrent episodes were slightly longer in patients who had been on suppressive therapy (9.3 versus 7.3 days), but, overall, these data indicate that suppressive therapy is safe and effective.