Sometimes each of us longs for peacefulness and romantics, trying to escape from the fast and intense rhythm of the modern life. Even the most reserved and cold people feel deep inside their souls a great desire to spend a quiet and romantic evening with those, whom they love. It is such a disappointment, when great plans are frustrated by such a tiny, but very ugly and annoying thing, as herpes.
Nowadays, however, people have a possibility to suppress herpes outbreaks. They can take pills, which work rather effectively, or use creams, which are also very powerful.
Denavir is the first cream, approved by the American Food and Drug Administration in 1996, available only by prescription. It is produced by Novartis Consumer Health Inc. for easing the symptoms of cold sores outbreaks (oral herpes on the facial area) and shortening their duration.
Denavir is a smooth, white 1% cream with no medical taste or odor. Its active ingredient is penciclovir (as in oral pill Famvir); inactive components are cetomacrogol 1000 BP, cetostearyl alcohol, mineral oil, propylene glycol, purified water and white petrolatum.
Penciclovir is an antiviral chemical, which inhibits the ability of herpes simplex virus (both types) to replicate itself, since this agent interferes with the herpes viral DNA synthesis.
Patients should use Denavir for recurrent cold sores on the facial area, covering only the external parts of the face, not using cream for the mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose, genital or rectal areas. Cream is applied every two hours during the day time for 4 days. Cold sores heal over during this time. The safety and efficacy of using Denavir for more than 4 days has not been established.
Side effects of treatment with Denavir are very rare and include mainly headaches. Other very rare side effects are hives, itching, numbness of the skin, rash, skin discoloration, taste or smell alteration and tingling.
The effect of Denavir was not studied in the older people, children under 12, and persons with a weakened immune system. The possibility of using cream in such patients must be determined by doctors in every particular case.
Penciclovir cream is in the FDA pregnancy category B. It means that it is not approved for the use by pregnant women, due to the absence of adequate clinical studies. However, the trials on animals showed no adverse effects on the fetal development.
Breast feeding women must also avoid Denavir usage, since it is not known whether it is excreted in milk and how it can affect the newborns.
Another cream to fight HSV on the facial area (cold sores) is Zovirax, approved by FDA in 2002, though its active ingredient (acyclovir) is officially used since 1984 as an oral treatment of cold sores and genital herpes.
The mechanism of acyclovir activity is the same as that of penciclovir. In fact, both brands have much in common: - Zovirax is used externally on the facial area to fight HSV 1 and 2 during recurrences; - Acyclovir topical was not studied in elderly, children, pregnant women, nursing mothers or immunocompromised people.
Side effects of Zovirax treatment may include mild pain, burning, stinging, itching, skin rash, swelling of lips, tongue or face; though, they appear very seldom.
Dosage is a bit different than that of Denavir: Zovirax must be applied every 3 hours (4 to 6 times a day) for 7-10 days.
Finally, it should be underlined that both creams do not cure herpes infection. They help relieve the symptoms of the outbreaks and their duration. Still, the virus remains in the body of an infected person; thus, he/she can transmit it to the other people.
Ivanna
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