Br J Ophthalmol 2001;85:576-581
( May )
Famciclovir for ophthalmic zoster: a randomised aciclovir
controlled study
Stephen Tyringa, Reinhard Engstb, Christine Corriveauc, Nicole Robillardc, Sylvie Trottierd, Steven Van Slyckene, Rachel A Crannf, Leslie A Lockef, Robin Saltzmanf, Alan G Palestineg *, for the
Collaborative Famciclovir Ophthalmic Zoster Research
Group
a University of Texas
Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA, b Dermatological Hospital of the Technical
University, Munich, Germany, c Notre Dame Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, d Centre
Hôpital de l'Université Laval, Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada, e Gent, Belgium, f SmithKline Beecham, Collegeville, PA, USA, g Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
Correspondence to: Alan G Palestine, MD, 1145 19th
Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC, 20036, USA
apalest{at}erols.com
Accepted for publication 20 December 2000
AIMS
To compare the
efficacy and safety of famciclovir with aciclovir for the treatment of
ophthalmic zoster.
METHODSRandomised,
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.
RESULTSThe 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 experienced
severe and
non-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.
CONCLUSIONFamciclovir
500 mg three times daily was well tolerated and demonstrated efficacy
similar to aciclovir 800 mg five times daily.
*
Members are listed at the end of the paper.
© 2001 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
