Archives of family medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Antiviral therapy for herpes zoster: randomized, controlled clinical trial of valacyclovir and famciclovir therapy in immunocompetent patients 50 years and older.
To compare the efficacy and safety of valacyclovir hydrochloride and famciclovir for the treatment of herpes zoster. ⋯ Valacyclovir treatment is comparable to famciclovir treatment in speeding the resolution of zoster-associated pain and postherpetic neuralgia. Current wholesale prices indicate that valacyclovir is the more cost-effective treatment for herpes zoster ($83.90 vs $140.70 per course).