Valacyclovir or Famciclovir for Herpes Zoster?

Both valacyclovir and famciclovir effectively decrease the duration of acute pain in herpes zoster and in post-herpetic neuralgia, usually defined as pain persisting after the skin lesions have healed. This randomized, double-blind trial, sponsored by the makers of valacyclovir and conducted in the U.S. and Canada, provides the first direct comparison of these 2 agents.

Within 72 hours after the onset of rash, 597 healthy, immunocompetent patients, aged 50 and older, received either 500 mg of famciclovir 3 times daily or 1 g of valacyclovir 3 times daily, for 7 days. No significant differences emerged between groups in the resolution of skin lesions, acute pain, or post-herpetic neuralgia. Pain persisted for 1 month in about 60 percent of pa…