Korean J Dermatol.
1980 Dec;18(6):573-577.
A Clinical Study of Ribavirin (Virazole) in Herpes Zoster
Abstract
- Ribavirin(l-b-D-ribofuranosyl-l, 2, 4-triazole-3-carboximide, Virazole) is a. synthetic nucleoside derivative with reported broad spectrum activity in vitro and in vivo against a wide variety of DNA and RNA viruses. This drug works by selective inhibition of viral protein in the early stage of viral replication, but does not influence on host cell protein. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Ribavirin in patients with herpes zoster. A total of 15 patients entered this study at the Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospital during 5 months' period, from May, 1980 to September, 1980, Ribavirin(10mg/kg/d) was given to 10 patients. After initiation of therapy, we observed duration of pain and vesicles and onset of crust formation in each patient clinically. The results observed in the 15 patients were as follows. 1. The average duration of pain was 6.0 days in Ribavirin group and 8.6 days in. control group (p<0. 05). 2. Postherpetic neuralgia was not found in any patients treated with Ribavirin. 3. The average duzation of all vesicles and onset of crust formation were 7.0 days and 3.8 days in Ribavirin group and 7.2 days and 4.2 days in control group respectively. 4. No side effects were observed during the course of Ribavirin treatment.
