Acyclovir is not effective in pityriasis rosea: Results of a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
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Date
2016-09
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Abstract
Background: Acyclovir is considered to be an effective treatment for pityriasis rosea but
randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trials have not been performed. Aims: To test
the efficacy of acyclovir in pityriasis rosea in a randomized, triple–blind, placebo-controlled
trial. Methods: Twenty seven patients with pityriasis rosea were randomly allocated to
receive placebo (n = 13) or acyclovir (800 mg fi ve times daily for one week) (n = 14). The
severity of disease was assessed by the pityriasis rosea area and severity index. Cure was
defi ned as the absence of erythema, with no or minimal scaling. Results: The number of
days (mean ± standard deviation) taken for cure was not signifi cantly different between the
two groups (placebo 26.54 ± 9.14 days versus acyclovir 33.29 ± 9.49 days; P = 0.0720,
t-test; 95% confi dence interval of difference −0.65 to 14.14 days). Limitations: The sample
size for the present study was calculated using data from an earlier study. As the standard
deviation was not mentioned in that article, a common standard deviation of fi fteen days
was assumed. A study with a larger sample size may be more effective in detecting minor
treatment differences between acyclovir and placebo, if they exist at all. Conclusion: Acyclovir
is not an effective treatment for pityriasis rosea.
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Keywords
Acyclovir, pityriasis rosea, randomized controlled trial
Citation
Singh Sanjay, Anurag, Tiwary Narendra K. Acyclovir is not effective in pityriasis rosea: Results of a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2016 Sept-Oct; 82(5): 505-509.