Acyclovir for treating varicella in otherwise healthy children and adolescents
Evidence Summaries
A Cochrane review 1 included 3 studies with a total of 779 subjects. Acyclovir was associated with a reduction in the number of days with fever (–1.1 days, 95% CI –1.3 to –0.9) and in reducing the maximum number of lesions (–76 lesions, –145 to –8). Results were less supportive with respect to the number of days to no new lesions and the number of days to the relief of itching. There were no clinically important differences between acyclovir and placebo with respect to complications associated with chickenpox or adverse effects associated with the treatment.
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (unclear allocation concealment).