Claims for Patent: 6,514,980

Summary for Patent: 6,514,980

Title:	Nucleoside analogs in combination therapy of herpes simplex infections
Abstract:	A pharmaceutical product comprising a nucleoside analogue active against herpes simplex virus, such as acyclovir/valaciclovir or penciclorivir/famciclovir, and an immunosuppressant, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment and/or prevention of herpes simplex virus infections.
Inventor(s):	Boyd; Malcolm Richard (Epsom, GB)
Assignee:	Novartis International Pharmaceutical Ltd. (Hamilton, BM)
Application Number:	09/626,015
Patent Claims:	1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a nucleoside analogue active against herpes simplex virus selected from the group consisting of acyclovir and valaciclovir, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof and an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable immunosuppressant. 2. A method of treatment or prophylaxis of herpes simplex virus infections in a human in need thereof, which method comprises administering to said human, an effective amount of a nucleoside analogue active against herpes simplex virus selected from the group consisting of acyclovir and valaciclovir, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof and an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable immunosuppressant. 3. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the immunosuppressant is a cytotoxic agent, a corticosteriod, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. 4. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the immunosuppressant is a cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the immunosuppressant is a cytotoxic agent, a corticosteroid, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the immunosuppressant is a cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone. 7. A method of treatment or prophylaxis of a herpes simplex virus infection in a human in need thereof, which method comprises administering simultaneously to said human an effective amount of a nucleoside analogue active against herpes simplex virus selected from the group consisting of acyclovir and valaciclovir, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof and an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable immunosuppresant. 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the immunosuppressant is a cytotoxic agent, a corticosteriod, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. 9. The method according to claim 7 wherein the immunosuppressant is a cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone. 10. A method of treatment or prophylaxis of a herpes simplex virus infection in a human in need thereof, which method comprises administering sequentially to said human an effective amount of a nucleoside analogue active against herpes simplex virus selected from the group consisting of acyclovir and valaciclovir, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof and an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable immunosuppresant. 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the immunosuppressant is a cytotoxic agent, a corticosteriod, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. 12. The method according to claim 10 wherein the immunosuppressant is a cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A, hydrocortisone, or