Brivudine versus famciclovir for treating shingles

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, multicenter trial enrolls 140 adults with herpes zoster at five centers in China and compares brivudine (125 mg/day) with famciclovir (dose adjusted for kidney function) for seven days. Participants are followed at Days 3, 7, 14, 30, and 90 to measure pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), time to lesion healing, postherpetic neuralgia incidence, and adverse events. The primary endpoint is pain score on Day 30, with secondary endpoints including earlier pain scores, lesion resolution time, PHN rate, and safety. Results will show whether one antiviral provides faster pain relief or lowers the risk of postherpetic neuralgia.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥18 years, regardless of gender;
2. Signed Informed Consent Form;
3. Female subjects must not plan for pregnancy or oocyte donation from screening until 1 week after the last dose and must voluntarily adopt highly effective physical contraception; male subjects must not plan for fertility or sperm donation during the same period and must voluntarily adopt highly effective physical contraception. Methods include:

   * Barrier methods: Condom or barrier cap (diaphragm or cervical cap);
   * Intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS);
   * Surgical sterilization (bilateral oophorectomy with/without hysterectomy, total hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or vasectomy) performed ≥6 months prior to the first dose in the subject or their partner;
   * Other investigator-confirmed highly effective physical contraception.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Allergy to brivudine, famciclovir, or penciclovir;
2. Current use of fluorouracil agents (e.g., 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, tegafur, flucytosine);
3. Cancer patients currently undergoing chemotherapy;
4. Pregnant or lactating women;
5. Parkinson's disease;
6. Any condition deemed inappropriate for study participation by the investigator.

Where it's running

• Peking University Third Hospital
  Beijing, China Recruiting
• Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University
  Beijing, China Recruiting
• Peking University First Hospital
  Beijing, China Recruiting
• Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University
  Beijing, China Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jin-Zhu Guo, M.D.
• Email: guojinzhu_826@163.com
• Phone: 008613521115717

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.