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Acyclovir and hydrocortisone cream for the early treatment of recurrent cold sores

Authors Sailer C, Spruance, Hull C

Published 11 January 2011 Volume 2011:3 Pages 1—6

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/VAAT.S7748

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Carrie A Sailer1, Spotswood L Spruance2, Christopher M Hull1
1Department of Dermatology, 2Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA

Abstract: Current antiviral therapies for herpes simplex labialis primarily reduce healing time. Since the host immune response also plays a role in both controlling recurrent infection as well as producing clinical symptoms, new studies are showing efficacy using topical corticosteroids. This review will evaluate the safety and efficacy of 5% acyclovir–1% hydrocortisone cream (Xerese™[US], Xerclear®[Europe]) for treatment of patients with herpes simplex labialis. A large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study recently demonstrated that treatment with 5% acyclovir–1% hydrocortisone cream significantly decreased the percentage of ulcerative lesions, reduced lesion healing time, and decreased mean lesion area compared with both topical acyclovir alone and vehicle.

Keywords: herpes labialis, herpes simplex virus, HSV, acyclovir, hydrocortisone, ME-609, Xerese, Xerclear

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