The trials showed a reduction in the virulence period of the infection when treated with acyclovir when compared to placebo 86-88. The RCT data involving the greatest number of patients 150 patients: 119 of them having primary infection and 31 secondary infection showed that acyclovir significantly reduced the time for lesions to become completely cured 12 cf14 days; p=0.005, reduced new lesion formation 48 hours after beginning the therapy 18% cf62%;p=0.001 and reduced the duration of pain 5 cf7 days; p=0.05 and viral shedding 2 cf9 days; p<0001 87.
Los datos del ECA 87 con mayor número de pacientes 150 pacientes, 119 con primoinfección primaria y 31 con primo infección no primaria muestran que el aciclovir disminuye significativamente el tiempo de curación completa de las lesiones 12 frente a 14 días, p = 0,005, reduce la formación de nuevas lesiones a 48 horas de inicio de la terapia 18% frente a 62%, p = 0,001 y reduce la duración del dolor 5 frente a 7 días, p = 0,05 y el viral shedding 2 frente a 9 días, p < 0,001.