Clinical Evaluation of Aciclovir Granules in the Treatment of Chickenpox in Otherwise Healthy Children

• Published in: Kansenshogaku Zasshi Vol. 68; no. 2; pp. 234 - 241
• Main Authors: KAMIYA, Hitoshi, YASUDA, Naoki, OZAKI, Takao, NARUSE, Hiroshi, KAWAGUCHI, Hiroshi, KANEKO, Tetsuichi, KAJITA, Yuji, MORISHIMA, Tsuneo, ASANO, Yoshizo, OSUGA, Akiko, YOSHIKAWA, Tetsushi, NAKASHIMA, Toshihiko, KOJIMA, Masamitsu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: Japan The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases 01.02.1994
• Subjects: aciclovir granules; Acyclovir - administration & dosage; Acyclovir - therapeutic use; Adolescent; Chickenpox - drug therapy; chickenpox in otherwise healthly children; Child; Child, Preschool; Dosage Forms; Female; Humans; Infant; Male
• ISSN: 0387-5911; 1884-569X
• DOI: 10.11150/kansenshogakuzasshi1970.68.234

The efficacy and safety of aciclovir granules (containing 40% w/w aciclovir) were evaluated in the treatment of chickenpox in otherwise healthy children. Patients presenting with chickenpox received aciclovir granules at a dose of 20 mg/kg four times daily for five to seven days. Overall 51 children received treatment with aciclovir. A further 53 patients receiving conventional symptomatic therapy acted as a control. In the aciclovir group the overall efficacy rate was 92.2%. There were reductions in the numbers of lesions, fever, itching and the duration of symptoms. No adverse experiences were reported. Overall this formulation of aciclovir appears to be a safe and effective treatment for chickenpox in this patient population. However the need for anti-viral therapy in otherwise healthy children is still the subject of debate and it might be appropriate to identify sub-groups for whom such therapy is justified.