Twice daily treatment with Valtrex (valacyclovir HCl) caplets is effective in suppressing genital herpes recurrences in HIV-infected patients, according to data presented at the Infectious Diseases Society of America annual meeting. After six months, the proportion of patients recurrence-free was 80 per cent in those receiving Valtrex 500 mg twice daily, compared to only 38 per cent of those receiving placebo.

"Many people who are HIV-positive also suffer from genital herpes and will be pleased to know they can suppress their genital herpes outbreaks," said Timothy Schacker, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota. "This is important information for people who have to deal with both genital herpes and HIV."

In the study of 293 HIV-infected participants, those receiving Valtrex experienced a delay in the time to first genital herpes recurrence as well as a delay in the time to first oral herpes outbreak when compared to placebo. At the end of the six-month study period, researchers noted no change in HIV-1 RNA levels present in the blood for patients treated with either Valtrex or placebo.

The randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated 293 HIV-seropositive patients on anti-retroviral therapy for at least two months prior to randomization. 194 patients were randomized to Valtrex and 99 to placebo. Patients received either Valtrex 500 mg twice daily or placebo. The most common adverse events were headache, diarrhea, and respiratory tract infection, occurring with similar incidence in both groups when duration of follow-up was considered. There were no episodes of thrombotic microangiopathy.

The study was sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, maker of Valtrex (valacyclovir HCl) caplets, one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and health care companies.

Valtrex is indicated for the initial and recurrent treatment and for suppression of genital herpes outbreaks. The most common side effects with Valtrex are headache, nausea and abdominal pain. Valtrex is intended for adults with normal immune systems. To avoid a potentially serious complication, patients should tell their doctor if their immune system is not normal because of advanced HIV disease, bone marrow or kidney transplant. There is no cure for genital herpes and even with treatment it may be possible to spread it to others.