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Research · Randomized controlled trial

Success of L-lysine therapy in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection: treatment and prophylaxis

What it found

Reported fewer and milder recurrences with lysine versus placebo — but other trials found no effect, so the overall evidence is conflicting.

Design
Randomized controlled trial
Year
1987
Sample size
52
Population
adults with frequently recurrent herpes simplex
Intervention
oral L-lysine 1,000 mg three times daily for 6 months vs placebo
Outcome
recurrence frequency, severity, healing time
Journal
Dermatologica

Citation last checked 2026-06-21.