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Acyclovir topical User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

Brand names: Zovirax Cream, Zovirax Ointment

Acyclovir topical has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 76 reviews on Drugs.com. 66% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 20% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Acyclovir topical

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Sun...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 20, 2021

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "Zovirax burnt my skin around the cold sore, leaving a red mark 2-3 times larger than my cold sore! It also caused this skin to peel. My cold sore is essentially gone after approximately 6 days, but now I am left with a very obvious and huge red mark. If you use this cream and it stings or burns at all when you apply it, I would suggest stopping usage straight away. It says that this may be a “mild” symptom of using the cream. I wish I had stopped using it as soon as I felt the stinging sensation."

2 / 10
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4 Report
  • AW8...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 3, 2023

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "I have always suffered with cold sores (female, mid-30s, UK) and even as a child, when my mum would buy me Zovirax, I knew it made them feel worse than if I just left well alone. Therefore, I have avoided it for 20 years. However, over Christmas, I caught strep and was very run down and started to get swollen lips (always my first sign). The doctor strongly suggested getting some Zovirax urgently to prevent spread. Within hours of applying, the sores had spread and tripled in size. Cut to a week later, both my nose and bottom lip have blistered like I have touched fire, have filled with pus and scabbed, and feel extremely numb. I will never use the product again. I will be left with scarring."

1 / 10
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  • d m...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 4, 2023

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "I am from the UK but was given Zovirax cream for a cold sore while in Spain. This caused the cold sore to blister and spread. The skin surrounding my mouth also burned and blistered. Will never use again. Absolutely awful experience. Skin still not healed a month after use. Will stick with Blistex in the future."

1 / 10
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  • Lad...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 10, 2021

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "Believe it should be used with caution and not liberally and consistently even if you eat or accidentally rub it off. I have been using acyclovir for years for cold sores, and this time I tried to catch a sore that I thought was coming up that night. Used a bit in the morning, again still puzzled whether it would show up or not. By the end of the day, I had severe burns from the ointment reddening the mouth. Not even a small blister of a cold sore in sight, but a nice lining of sheer burn on my lips all the way around the one side of my mouth from this cream :( so bummed. Washed it off and cooled it with ice, which helped but didn’t prevent the burn marks :( not even sure this stuff ever helps, but I panic every time I get these, so I will use another brand again but with caution!"

4 / 10
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  • IT...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 11, 2024

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "Right, I’m from the UK and anytime I am on my period, I develop this huge lump on my lips. I used to just put Vaseline on and move on, until I found this cream! It now only takes 3-4 days to get rid of my cold sores. I put it on, and I don’t feel the pain or the tingling, and it helps to stop the spreading! Even when it bursts, Zovirax still helps. This cream is actually a godsend."

10 / 10
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  • Rum...
  • April 10, 2017

For Cold Sores "You are going to love this, my small tube of acyclovir ointment costs $900. Luckily my insurance covered it, or I would have lots of cold sores. The stuff is marginally effective if you catch the cold sores at the right moment. I am switching over to oral, hoping for better results."

4 / 10
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  • Chr...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 5, 2020

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I was prescribed Acyclovir cream for face shingle treatment, however, I have no cold sores. I am in the scabbing phase. My dermatologist was negligent to tell me that the tiny tube would cost $230. This medication seems more designed for intense cold sores. Not sure it's worth a damn if I don't have cold sores, and not sure I am willing to spend $230 to see if it helps my scabs lighten. I don't hold dermatologists in high regard, and now a bit less."

1 / 10
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  • Rip...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 10, 2017

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "My son had a cold sore outbreak, got a Zovirax cream as treatment. It works well, but the cream ran out before the cold sore. I paid $14 for a tube (2g) of Zovirax, the amount of cream did not even cover 3 days of treatment. The tube is the size of lip sunscreen, but the amount of cream inside is ridiculously tiny. Such a ripoff, please consider low-income consumers with your products."

7 / 10
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  • GSm...
  • December 10, 2016

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "Had to immediately clean it off my lips. The burning from this cream was far too intense for me. I'm 35 weeks pregnant, so my immune system is already compromised. This is the worst cold sore outbreak I've had, where pills, supplements, home remedies, and Abreva haven't helped. I pray that it clears up soon."

2 / 10
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  • Not...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 17, 2017

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "Zovirax cream has 50 mg of acyclovir in it - doesn't it? It was in the contents ingredients information list. Zovirax cream is a miracle cure!! Cold sores - dab it on ASAP, a small tiny bit - bumps on skin like welts or hives (shingles?) + very painful + scary looking like chicken pox - connect the bumps/dots. It's stress + anxiety like someone else said... lack of sleep + you haven't been eating since the other day + working extra days THEN nights + little catnap sleeps + you find junk sugar-loaded snacks + even the fruit + applesauce cups + granola = huge sugar/salt + sugar drinks + creamy sugar coffee day + night to just get through those sudden double shifts = reactions - cold sores + hive-like sores + acne! Omg! Zovirax by prescription will save your day!!! :)"

10 / 10
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7 Report
  • Sim...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 22, 2018

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "Had a wedding and got a cold sore 3 days prior. Used the cream every half hour till the day. Totally disappeared. Couldn't even see them in the photos. Highly recommend to everyone."

10 / 10
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15 Report
  • Eve...
  • October 12, 2016

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "It doesn't stop a cold sore from forming and doesn't stop the pain and tingling. It may, however, reduce the size of the cold sores."

5 / 10
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  • liz...
  • July 17, 2019

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "Zovirax, this is the best medication for cold sores, it clears it up 10 times faster and can even stop a breakout."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • December 24, 2019

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "It works for me. No doubt about it. But in Canada, I had to pay $80 for a tiny tube. Then, 2/3 of the tube was air. So thanks for that."

10 / 10
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7 Report
  • Str...
  • December 10, 2018

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "I love Zovirax in the little pump. Clears up cold sores in 3 days. However, I’ve noticed the amount of cream in the pump has become less. Disappointing."

8 / 10
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  • boo...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 4, 2019

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "You can buy this off the shelf in the UK, at any pharmacy and many supermarkets, for around £5 for a 2g pump. Worth stocking up if you're visiting from the US!"

10 / 10
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  • Mon...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 28, 2018

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "Way better than Abreva! 1 to 2 days max and it is gone."

10 / 10
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  • Kit...
  • June 15, 2018

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "This stuff is amazing, does not burn. It heals the pain and cold sore."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • March 18, 2010

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "It is very effective!"

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • March 29, 2008

Acyclovir topical "Second bout with shingles-this time treated with Zovirax-relief within a few days."

9 / 10
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  • 12J...
  • October 14, 2009

For Cold Sores "It is well worth the cost, decreases outbreak time, and reduces pain and embarrassment."

9 / 10
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5 Report
  • Gra...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 21, 2022

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "Save yourself some money and don’t be fooled into buying this expensive and totally ineffective ointment, as it has never worked for me. Yet, in desperation, I seem to keep buying it, but no longer."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 13, 2018

Acyclovir topical for Cold Sores "I just want to mention that in my country, Zovirax costs something like $10 for 10g! I cannot believe how expensive it is in the US. That's insane."

10 / 10
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6 Report
  • Mir...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 3, 2018

For Cold Sores "The best medicine for cold sores! I apply it as much as possible throughout the day and have never had a blister since using it. Would recommend it to everyone."

10 / 10
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2 Report
  • Whi...
  • July 18, 2016

For Cold Sores "Had shingles as a kid and adult. In 2010, shingles popped out on the side of my face... bad news times 10. Acyclovir is the best, without it, well, I do not want to think about that!"

10 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.