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The role of inosine pranobex in the treatment of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia
Author(s) -
Payne C.M.E. Rowland,
Oakley A.,
Meurisse V.,
Byrom N.,
Rogers T.,
Hobbs J.R.,
Copeman P.W.M.,
Staughton R.C.D.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb12996.x
Subject(s) - postherpetic neuralgia , medicine , placebo , zona , neuralgia , serology , dermatology , surgery , viral disease , anesthesia , virology , virus , immunology , pathology , neuropathic pain , alternative medicine , antibody
The severity of herpes zoster worsens with age and postherpetic neuralgia is almost limited to the elderly (Wildenhoff et al. , 1979, 1981). Acyclovir speeds healing and lessens pain, but has no effect on postherpetic neuralgia (Peterslund et al. , 1981; Bean, Braun & Balfour, 1982). Inosine pranobex (or isoprinosine, inosiplex: trade name Imunovir), an immuno‐modulator with low toxicity, is effective in herpes simplex ( Lancet , 1985). Uncontrolled observations indicate a beneficial effect in herpes zoster (Sternberg & Ruiz, 1972). We report the first double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial of inosine pranobex in the treatment of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in the elderly. Forty‐two consecutive patients (19 males, 23 females) over 60‐years old and in the first 96 h of symptoms were stratified by sex, duration of pain (up to and/or over 48 h) and localization (trigeminal/other) and were randomly allocated 6 days of placebo or of inosine pranobex tablets. Five clinical and five photographic variables were monitored daily for 7–9 days (Peterslund et al. , 1981). Pain was assessed monthly for a further 3 months. Investigations at entry, 1 and 4 weeks, comprised haematology, biochemistry, viral culture, immunology, including circulating T‐cell subsets, and serology, including ELISA and complement fixation tests. Results, statistically analysed by multiple regression analysis (Peterslund et al. , 1981) and life‐table techniques, will be presented.