Controlled trial of 'InterVir-A' in herpes simplex virus infection.

'InterVir-A' (IVA), an agent with in-vitro anti herpes-simplex-virus (HSV) activity was compared with a placebo (PBO) in the treatment of recurrent perianal, orofacial, and genital HSV I and II infection in a randomised double-blind trial. Samples from lesions of 69 patients seen within 48 h of the onset of prodromal symptoms were sent for culture. Patients were asked to apply IVA or PBO ointment every 2 h for 24 h, and 4 times daily for the remainder of the attack, during which period (mean 7 days) they visited the clinic 4 times. No adverse reactions were reported. Crusting times were faster for the IVA than the PBO group (4.5 days versus 6.4 days), as were healing times (7.4 days versus 9.9 days). Complete symptom relief was obtained within 30-60 min of first use in the IVA group, compared with a mean of 4 days in the PBO population (p less than 0.00005). IVA also reduced the frequency and severity of recurrences.