[Management of recurrent herpes simplex using levamisole]

Abstract

The therapeutic effect of levamisole was tested in a double blind and open clinical study in 30 patients with recurrent labial and genital herpes simplex. The frequency, the duration and the painfulness of the herpes eruptions were improved significantly under levamisole treatment. Agranulocytosis is an important adverse reaction which restricts the practical use of the substance. The increase of phagocytosis of granulocytes and macrophages and the normalization of defective cell mediated immune reactions are the supposed mechanisms of levamisole action.