SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare introduces Denavir, a 1 percent penciclovir cream for speeding the healing of recurrent cold sores (herpes labialis).
- The prescription medication was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cold sores in healthy adult patients. Other products marketed for cold sores in the United States are over-the-counter preparations which are skin protectants or external analgesics.
- Denavir blocks the virus on cold sores by inhibiting viral DNA replication in herpes simplex virus-infected cells. The product heals cold sores in about 4.5 days.
- Denavir is a smooth non-greasy cream that dries transparent after application. The product comes in a 2g tube and should be applied every two hours during waking hours for a period of four days.
- For more information, contact SmithKline Beecham, P.O. Box 1467, Pittsburgh, PA 15230; (412) 928-1000.
