Brivudine 125mg tablets

Abstract Background and objective Brivudine has been used in herpes zoster (HZ) treatment for years, but the safety and efficacy of brivudine are inconclusive. Here we perform a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy, safety, incidence of postherpetic neuralgia of brivudine. Methods Data of randomized controlled Trials (RCTS) were obtained from the databases of both English (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) and Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science Journal Database, and WanFang Database) literatures from inception to 12 September 2022. Meta-analyses of efficacy and safety of Brivudine for the treatment of herpes zoster for RCTS were conducted. Results The analyses included seven RCTS (2095 patients in experimental group and 2076 patients in control group) in the treatment of HZ with brivudine. It suggested that the brivudine group was superior to the control group in terms of efficacy (p = .0002) and incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (p = .04). But the incidence of adverse reactions has no significant difference between the brivudine and the control groups (p = .22). In addition, subgroup analysis of adverse events also showed that brivudine was about the same safety as other modalities in the treatment of HZ (p > .05). Conclusions Brivudine is effective for HZ. However, the evidence on the safety of brivudine is insufficient.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC 4.0

Herpes zoster (HZ), caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), typically presents as a unilateral vesicular rash in a dermatomal pattern. Its occurrence in the genital area is rare and often misdiagnosed. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman who presented with sudden vulvar pain and burning, without a history of immunodeficiency or sexually transmitted infections. Examination revealed unilateral vesicular lesions on the left labium majus, perianal area, medial thigh, and gluteal region along the second sacral (S2) and third sacral (S3) dermatomes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed VZV and ruled out herpes simplex virus (HSV). The patient was treated with brivudine, mupirocin, and analgesics, resulting in a complete resolution of symptoms. This case highlights the need to consider HZ in the differential diagnosis of genital lesions. Early recognition and treatment of atypical presentations can prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Abstract Brivudine is a thymidine analogue antiviral agent used in the treatment of herpes zoster; however, human data regarding its use during pregnancy are lacking. This report aims to describe pregnancy outcomes following oral brivudine exposure and to provide the first human clinical data on brivudine use during pregnancy. Two pregnant women exposed to oral brivudine during the first and second trimesters were referred for teratological risk assessment and followed with perinatal monitoring and postnatal clinical follow-up. Both pregnancies were continued with perinatological follow-up and resulted in the delivery of healthy infants without major congenital malformations. Postnatal follow-up identified mild allergic manifestations in one child and an isolated mild delay in the personal–social developmental domain in the other. These cases provide preliminary clinical data on brivudine exposure during pregnancy and contribute to the limited human data available.

Abstract licence: CC BY 4.0

A 64-year-old man presented with painful rash on the trunk and extremities for more than half a month. Nephrotic syndrome had been diagnosed 2 years ago and had been regularly treated with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants. He developed herpes zoster 1 year ago. Laboratory investigation demonstrated varicella-zoster virus DNA (VZV-DNA), varicella-zoster virus IgM (VZV-IgM), and varicella-zoster virus antibody IgG (VZV-IgG) were all positive. After the clinical diagnosis of relapsed disseminated cutaneous herpes zoster had been confirmed, systemic therapy with brivudine 125 mg everyday was started.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC 4.0