08.09.2007

The antiviral agent Valtrex significantly reduces asymptomatic viral shedding in genital herpes according to new data presented today ... More Info

22.08.2007

A shorter course (3 days) of therapy of the antiviral for treating recurrent episodes of genital herpes. Previously, a 5-day ... More Info

September, 2007
The antiviral agent Valtrex significantly reduces asymptomatic viral shedding in genital herpes according to new data presented today at the 38th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).

"Viral shedding is when the infectious genital herpes virus is released through the skin," explains Dr. Anna Wald, lead investigator of this new study. "Shedding can also occur when there are no visible signs or symptoms of the infection. This is called asymptomatic shedding."

These new findings come from a double blind, placebo-controlled study which investigated the effect of Valtrex in reducing viral shedding. It involved a total of 69 men and women who had recently been infected or had recurring genital herpes infection. Patients received Valtrex, acyclovir or placebo. Each patient received each treatment for seven weeks and was tested daily to detect the presence of the genital herpes virus.

During the study, genital herpes virus was found in 86 to 94 percent of the patients involved. Viral shedding, as detected by PCR, a very sensitive test, even on days when there were no visible signs of genital herpes, occurred on 6.2 percent of the days in those treated with Valtrex.

Genital herpes is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the developed world. It is estimated that one in five Europeans over the age of 18 years is infected with one type of this virus, called HSV-2. On contracting the virus, patients suffer what is called a 'primary infection' or 'first episode'. Following this the virus becomes inactive. Recurrent episodes - when patients suffer sores in the genital area, genital pain, tenderness, burning or itching - are common, and may occur more than once a month in some patients.

"Infecting their partners is one of the greatest concerns to patients with genital herpes, and therefore we are studying whether an antiviral drug has an effect on reducing transmission in a different clinical trial," says Dr. Wald.

Valtrex is currently available to both treat and suppress outbreaks of genital herpes in adults with normal immune systems. Valtrex is generally well tolerated with the most commonly reported side effect being headache. The efficacy of Valtrex has not been established in immunocompromised patients. No drug has been shown to cure genital herpes.

Valtrex has been approved for use in suppressing outbreaks of genital herpes throughout Europe. Valtrex was developed and is marketed by Glaxo Wellcome (NYSE: GLX), makers of Zovirax. Glaxo Wellcome is a company committed to fighting disease by bringing innovative medicines to patients and to healthcare professionals.