Acyclovir in a historical chronic fatigue syndrome trial
Straus SE et al. · 1988 · New England Journal of Medicine
Indexed 2026-11-12.
Reported findings and study design
Reported findings
Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover with initial IV treatment followed by oral treatment.
Dose, route and schedule
Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover with initial IV treatment followed by oral treatment.
Protocol source ↗ · Original article abstract
| Measure | Result | Comparison, timing and statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical improvement | Among 24 completers, 11 improved with acyclovir and 10 with placebo. | |
| Kidney toxicity | Three participants withdrew with acyclovir-associated nephrotoxicity. |
The study predates modern ME/CFS criteria.
Source for these results ↗ · Reviewed 2026-11-12
For research and education. Consult a qualified clinician for medical advice.
Study limitations and source details
Study limitations
- The study predates modern ME/CFS criteria.
Source access
Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover with initial IV treatment followed by oral treatment.
Source reviewed 2026-11-12.
Citation and original source
Original source: Straus SE et al.. Acyclovir in a historical chronic fatigue syndrome trial New England Journal of Medicine 1988.
Molekul research summary: https://molekul.io/research/acyclovir-straus-1988. Cite the original publication for its findings and this page when referring to Molekul’s summary or evidence appraisal.
Bibliography entry