What to Know to Get the Best Cold Sore Medicine

With so much information and so many reviews on cold sore medicine available these days, it can be difficult to find out which one is the best. You should know that knowing all of this information may seem all but useless when it is time for you to select the right cold sore medicine for a loved one that has been left suffering at home.

What to Think About

When you set out to pick the best cold sore medicine, it is very important that you keep the following tips in mind.

Infection Stage: This is one of the most important things to consider when selecting the best cold sore medicine. Many cold sore medicines are only highly effective when used during a certain stage of infection. For example, the popular over the counter medicine, Abreva, is most successful at treating cold sores when they are still in the tingling phase and before they reach the blistering stage. Zovirax on the other hand is effective in both the tingling and blistering stages of a cold sore.

How the Medicine Works: It is important that you understand exactly how the medicine works to treat cold sores as well as any side effects that it may have. You will find that most treatments aim to decrease irritation and minimize inflammation of the cold sore, rather than eliminating it from your system. This means the cold sore will heal but the virus that caused it will remain dormant, or inactive, inside the body. As the virus remains, it can potentially cause future outbreaks if reactivated.

Price: For many this is a deciding factor, as we purchase what we can afford. Many prescription medicines such as Zovirax are quite expensive and do not have generic cold sore medicine alternatives. Some over the counter medicines such as Abreva are very affordable.

Efficacy: When buying a product, you want to know that it works well. Whether or not the medicine will relieve pain and get rid of your cold sore is imperative in your decision making process. Generic products such as Tylenol will only relieve pain and not treat a cold sore. Other cold sore specific items such as Lipsovir, Denavir, Abreva, and Zovirax will reduce soreness and help a fever blister heal.

Side Effects: When selecting any medication it is crucial that you consider the side effects. Some cold sore treatments are not appropriate for use by pregnant women or nursing mothers. Others can lead to allergies in some people. For this reason, it is imperative that you gather all information about side effects when you are searching for the best cold sore medicine.

The Final Decision

Using the tips mentioned in this article, you will surely be able to name the 5 best treatments available today. Still, when you want to decide which cold sore medicine is best for you, we recommend that you speak with your doctor as they can take into account your medical history.