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Ganciclovir: a promising topical antiviral gel for herpetic keratitis

Authors :
Herbert E. Kaufman
Source :
Expert Review of Ophthalmology. 4:367-375
Publication Year :
2009
Publisher :
Informa UK Limited, 2009.

Abstract

Ganciclovir (GCV) is a potent broad-spectrum antiviral with proven efficacy against herpes viruses. As it inhibits viral but not cellular DNA, it is expected to avoid the toxicity associated with trifluridine – the only currently approved treatment for herpes simplex keratitis in the USA. Preclinical studies have demonstrated GCV to be as effective as trifluridine against experimental herpes simplex keratitis. Clinical studies conducted in Europe, Asia, and Africa that compared the efficacy and tolerability of GCV ophthalmic gel with acyclovir (ACV) ophthalmic ointment in patients with herpetic keratitis showed that GCV-treated patients had higher overall healing rates and lower relapse rates than ACV-treated patients. The ganciclovir gel formulation was also much better tolerated than the ACV ointment base. Finally, a controlled, masked, randomized series of 18 patients with adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis compared GCV gel with preservative-free artificial tears. Ganciclovir-treated patients experienced ...

Details

ISSN :
17469902 and 17469899
Volume :
4
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Expert Review of Ophthalmology
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........5871200a915ffa0fd1ea213c377baea7
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1586/eop.09.25