TOPLINE:
Low-dose suppressive valacyclovir treatment of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) did not show significant benefits at 12 months but showed treatment superiority at 18 months and a reduction in the number of multiple episodes of keratitis or iritis at 12 and 18 months.
METHODOLOGY:
- Researchers conducted a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial across 95 sites in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand to evaluate the efficacy and safety of suppressive valacyclovir treatment in delaying the onset of specific types of new or worsening eye diseases.
- Between September 2017 and January 2023, they enrolled 527 participants (median age, 60 years; 50.5% women) having a history of a typical HZO rash and active keratitis or iritis within the past year.
- The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1000 mg…