From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Docosanol, also known as behenyl alcohol, is a saturated fatty alcohol[1] used traditionally as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener in cosmetics[2][3][4], nutritional supplement (as an individual entity and also as a constituent of polyicosanol), and more recently, in an FDA-approved pharmaceutical, Abreva[5], approved for reducing the duration of "cold sores" caused by the herpes simplex virus (see antiviral agent).
[edit] Mechanism and history of antiviral drug usage
The presumed mechanism of action in Abreva is by inhibiting the fusion of the human host cell with the viral envelope of the herpes virus, thus preventing its replication. This mechanism has neither been directly observed nor proven, however.
Abreva was licensed as an oral herpes medicine after clinical trials by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2000.[6] It was shown to shorten the healing by 17.5 hours on average (95% confidence interval: 2 to 22 hours) in a placebo-controlled trial.[7] Three other trials showed negative results, but these were not published.[8]
Marketed by Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Abreva was the first over-the-counter antiviral drug approved for sale in the United States and Canada. In Europe, it is marketed by Healthcare Brands under the name Erazaban. In March 2007 it was the subject of a US nationwide class-action suit against Avanir and GlaxoSmithKline as the claim that it cut recovery times in half was found to have been misleading in a California court.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Katz DH, Marcelletti JF, Khalil MH, Pope LE, Katz LR (December 1991). "Antiviral activity of 1-docosanol, an inhibitor of lipid-enveloped viruses including herpes simplex". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88 (23): 10825–9. PMID 1660151. PMC 53024. http://www.pnas.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=1660151.
- ^ http://fleur-s-cosmetics.stalgroup.com/
- ^ http://www.korresusa.com/product/4820/eye-cream/skincare/category/anti-aging-
- ^ http://www.avalonorganics.com/?id=124&show=B
- ^ mediLexicon: Docosanol
- ^ "Drug Name: ABREVA (docosanol) - approval". centerwatch.com. July 2000. http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru627.html. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
- ^ Sacks, SL. Clinical efficacy of topical docosanol 10% cream for herpes simplex labialis: A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. 45. J Am Acad Dermatol. pp. 222-230.
- ^ Schubert-Zsilavecz, M, Wurglics, M, Neue Arzneimittel 2008/2009
- ^ "California Court Upholds Settlement Of Class Action Over Cold Sore Medicationl". BNA Inc.. July 2000. http://web.archive.org/web/20080205070115/http://subscript.bna.com/SAMPLES/plp.nsf/85256269004a991e8525611300214487/29d5bb623a50fd25852572ad0074f772?OpenDocument. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
[edit] External links
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