All About Cold Sore Medicine

Cold sores are not just a pain to have, they are also quite embarrassing. Did you know that nearly 100 million individuals experience a cold sore each year? If you are one of these people, or if you know someone who regularly experiences cold sores, then you will benefit from knowing about the different ways you can successfully treat a cold sore.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are a result of an infection of the herpes simplex virus. This virus is very contagious, meaning it spreads easily from one person to another. It can also lie dormant in the body for extended periods of time, infecting at a later date.

The Truth About Cold Sore Medicines

If you perform an internet search, then you will find out a lot about cold sore medicine. Whether you purchase one from your local pharmacy or get a prescription, you will fins that one is helpful and the other is all but useless when it comes to effectively treating cold sores. People find this out when they use the wrong medicine.

When you get a cold sore it will progress through a series of stages. Cold sore medicines are designed to be used during certain stages. To adequately treat your cold sore, you should understand this concept. This will help you to select the most effective treatment. If your cold sore feels tingly, then Abreva may be an appropriate treatment for you. However, if your cold sore has already begun to blister, then Zovirax may work better for you.

For this reason, it is suggested that you speak with your doctor about your cold sore and be sure to discuss which stage your cold sore is currently in. This will help your doctor determine which cold sore medicines are best for you.

Different Types

A wide variety of cold sore medicines are available for purchase. They are typically separated into the categories of over-the-counter cold sore medicines and prescription medicines.

Some prescription medicines for cold sores are Valtrex, Famvir, Denavir, Acyclovir, and Lipsovir -- which was recently approved by the FDA. Lipsovir is a category C drug, which means, it has the potential to harm a pregnant woman’s fetus. Both Denavir and Valtrex are category B, which means that they are not likely to have negative effects on an unborn child. Each of these prescription medications works to quickly heal lesions caused by cold sores. They work by slowing the replication, or spread, of the herpes simplex virus. None of these medications guarantees a total cure of the virus or expulsion of the virus from the body.

Some well known over-the-counter cold sore medicines are Abreva and Viroxyn. Abreva is a moisturizer and Viroxyn is an inhibitor. There are a number of other cold sore medicines available for purchase at your local pharmacy; however, it is advisable that you speak with your doctor before trying any medicines. This will ensure your overall safety.