Abstract

A REVIEW ON EFFICACY OF PENCICLOVIR AND NOVEL APPROACHES FOR ENHANCED DERMAL DELIVERY

Aditi Das*, Amol A. Kulkarni and Jayesh Dwivedi

ABSTRACT

Recurrent Herpes Labialis (RHL), is one of the most frequently occurring infections, caused mainly by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV 1). Though in most cases the infections caused by HSV 1 can be mild or asymptomatic, acute symptoms like blister (cold sores) and ulcerations around the mouth and lips can occur in a few cases. Over the years, several oral and topical medicines have been approved by United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for the treatment of the primary or recurrent episodes of Herpes Labialis. Penciclovir, an acyclic guanine nucleoside analog, is a key drug used for the treatment of RHL, mainly via topical route. This article provides a summary on the efficacy of the current USFDA approved formulation of Penciclovir, Denavir® Cream, as available in various published studies. The article also compiles the currently available formulation strategies that have been applied to increase the efficacy of Penciclovir. Based on the formulation strategies reviewed, there seem to be several promising techniques available which can be employed to increase the efficacy of Penciclovir formulation. 

Keywords: Penciclovir, Recurrent Herpes Labialis, Herpes Simplex Virus, Denavir® Cream.