A Comparison of 882C87 Versus Acyclovir in the Treatment of Herpes Zoster in Patients With Weakened Immune Systems

Inclusion Criteria

Patients must have:

• Acute localized herpes zoster or rash present less than 72 hours, verified by clinical diagnosis.
• Immunocompromised condition primarily as a result of documented HIV infection, malignancy, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, solid organ or bone marrow transplant, or chronic immunosuppressive therapy.
• Life expectancy of at least 6 months.
• Ability to cooperate with the requirements of the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Evidence of cutaneous or visceral dissemination (more than 20 discrete lesions outside adjacent dermatomes).
• Acute, life-threatening condition.
• Significant malabsorption syndrome or other gastrointestinal dysfunction that may severely reduce drug absorption.
• Intolerance of oral medication.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Tricyclic antidepressants or anti-epileptics.
• Topical applications to the zoster lesions that would obscure evaluation.
• Fluorouracil and flucytosine.
• Systemic therapy with agents with antiherpetic activity (from 2 weeks prior to first dose to day 28 of study).
• Probenecid or other drugs likely to affect elimination of study drugs (from 2 days prior to first dose to day 14 of the study).
• Capsaicin (Zostrix).
• Warfarin (Coumadin) during 14 days of treatment.

Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded:

History of intolerance, hypersensitivity, or severe drug reaction to acyclovir.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Systemic therapy with agents with antiherpetic activity (including interferon) within the past 2 weeks.
• Probenecid or other drugs likely to affect the elimination of 882C87 or acyclovir within the past 48 hours.
• Drugs likely to interact with 882C87 (e.g., fluorouracil or flucytosine) within the past 7 days.
• Zoster immune globulin or zoster immune plasma within the previous month. History of alcohol or drug abuse within the previous 6 months or current methadone therapy.