Objective: A clinical trial on 74 patients with herpes zoster was conducted to observe the efficacy and side effects of recombinant alpha-2a interferon.
Methods: All patients were divided into two groups, including forty-four patients in interferon-treated group and 30 patients in controlled group. The interferon-treated group was treated with i.m. recombinant alpha-2a-interferon in a daily dose of one million unit for 6 days. The controlled group was treated with vitamin B12 and vitamin B1 in conventional dose for 6 days.
Results: The duration of scarring, pain relieving, cure and course of disease in interferon-treated group was significantly shorter than that in controlled group (P < 0.01). There was no postherpetic neuralgia in interferon-treated group and there were postherpetic neuralgia in 9 cases of controlled group (P > 0.05). Side effects were mild in interferon-treated group.
Conclusions: It seems that recombinant alpha-2a-interferon may be recommended as a good medicine for herpes zoster.