Docosanol topical User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• SpicyM
• December 7, 2014

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "I haven't had a cold sore since my teenager years. When I looked in the mirror yesterday morning I was in shock to see one on my lip. It was just the beginning of a cold sore. I immediately remember seeing a ad for Abreva and it claimed to heal sores fast! I had nothing to lose and knew my Garth Brooks concert was coming up in two days. Knowing my friends and family there would be pictures of my smile everywhere. The product was amazing. Two days using it and its pretty much all gone! Wow. It was a miracle worker! Thank you Abreva. It was easy to use and couldn't believe how fast it worked! Ready for my pictures in my all time favorite Garth Brooks."

• Tdp
• February 25, 2017

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "My doctor recommended I buy abrevea. I used it several times and it did temporarily help with the pain however when I woke up in the morning my sore was gooey and looked like it had melted all over it cause it to spread on other parts of my lip."

• Dipst...
• May 10, 2016

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Yesterday I felt the familiar tingle throbbing sensation and headed to my local drug store to buy a tube. They were out but had a generic brand. I passed and found another store that had Abreva. Although I didn't have a blister yet, I began using it right away and applied liberally. Now 24 hours later I have no more signs of cold sore coming and no blister. I think/hope I was able to stop it before it got started. I think the key was to start using Abreva before a blister appears. I have used it in the past after blister appeared and it did speed up healing time."

• Livie...
• August 16, 2017

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "I got a cold sore yesterday morning, it was quite small and barely noticeable. I put abreva on and put it on like 10 times and when I woke up this morning it was bigger and more painful. It does not work. I don't get cold sores quite often, only when I'm very sick or physically drained (I'm a lifeguard and swim teacher). This was a huge disappointment, especially for how expensive it was."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2011

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "I recently got an ugly cold sore on the bottom of my lips but did not catch it early enough. I used Abreva during the blistering stage and already it has made a difference. The product is too dry for my lips however so I am using it in conjunction with Carmex. I am on the fourth day and the sore has gone down quite a bit."

• Abby
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2019

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Abreva has not worked for me. I strongly recommend lemon balm. It’s cheaper than abreva and actually works. I put a few drops on a qtip and apply it for 10 minutes. I do this a few times a day and the cold sore is gone the next day. My cold sore last a day or two, rather than a week or more like it did before I used lemon balm."

• CWFor...
• January 29, 2020

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "58-yr-old male w/near 50 yrs experience w/cold sores! When I was young my mom insisted on kissing me; seeing that “thing” on her lip I resisted. Ever since? Cold sores. Who knew better in 1970?. Started w/my own home remedies (using softened underside of bar of soap to gather that 'cream'; worked somewhat.) Tried other concoctions. Then in 2000, Abreva! Used properly, works like magic elixir. After showering, washing your face, need to re-apply. Being allergic? Can't predict that. Don't use it once you learn that. Key: apply upon FIRST notice of tingling. Then, you NEVER GET THE COLD SORE!!! Be sure to apply every few hours, just a little, for a couple days, even a couple applications AFTER tingling stops. You'll end up using about 1/5 of tube; careful with the 1st 'squirts' – it'll come gushing out. Now, generics out there aplenty. Make sure they have 10% docosanol – the active ingredient that does the work. Go with whatever generic is cheapest. No more than $8/tube today."

• SimonaD
• March 1, 2016

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "In the beginning when I felt the symptoms of herpes on my lip I went to pharmacy, which has offered abreva. I was using as per instructions - 5 times per day. 7 days later my lip looked as bad as 3rd day. When I finished first tube of abreva I went to another pharmacy and they again offered the same abreva. It's totally marketing and I am sure pharmacists are getting paid by selling this particular lip cream. It does nothing! It's expensive regular moisturizing cream!"

• Nunya
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2018

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Unfortunately, I've dealt with cold sores since elementary age. Following a friend's recommendation, I tried Abreva, and it does wonders. The trick is applying the medication to the sore several times a day the moment you have symptoms rather than full blown blisters or crusting has occurred. Once the blisters form, the medication WILL reduce the heal time, but the "outbreak damage" has already happened and nothing will help healing but time. Once you feel that swelling, pain, tingle, itch and/or heat to the area apply the medication. The key is don't wait until it forms the blisters and/or crust. Hope this helps!"

• ashley...
• April 12, 2015

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "At first when I was reading these reviews I thought they were a bit excessive and was sure the company was paying people to write positive reviews. But after my experience I now can see they true. It was the first morning of my 3 week vacation in LA and I woke up with a cold sore. Awesome. It already was at its blister stage and so swollen and painful (top left side of lip). I got the abreva pump from cvs and spent a whole day continuously reapplying. It completely reduced the swelling and blister and now its completely shrunk and about to disappear and its day 2. Usually I get cold sores once or twice a year that last 10-14 days. I cannot believe this actually worked. definitely worth the $22"

• Ivan
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 3, 2020

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Abreva really works for me. I’ve tried every other suggestion out there for the past several decades, to little avail. It must be used IMMEDIATELY upon the first tingle, HOWEVER, and several times per day, and more often if it gets washed off in the shower, or after eating. Rarely now do my cold sores get out of control for weeks on end. When I catch them early, and I happen to have Abreva at hand, I’m looking at 3 or 4 days max to keep it down or essentially invisible. I find that I still have to treat new ones that may try to pop up in close proximity, but that holds true whether you use Abreva or not. Keeping it down and treated also avoids serious scabbing, cracking, bleeding, which can all add days or weeks in additional healing time. Don’t give up people, it’s probably the best thing out there if caught early. Sure, some breakouts are worse than others, but Abreva is still my best buddy. I keep it at hand always, at work, and bring it with me whenever I travel."

• DDano
• March 15, 2019

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Felt a cold sore coming on, so went to get something for it. I was a bit put off by the price of Abreva, but I was helping teach a course in a few days and really wanted to get it under control. Not only did abreva not work, but I got a second blister in another spot! By far, the worst cold sore(s) of my life!! A wasted $20 for sure!"

• Joano
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 6, 2019

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Wow...I have had just the opposite of some of the other comments. I have had terrible cold sores all my life....and Abreva is the best I have found to lessen the pain and start the healing, and keep the cold sore from growing to a big mess. It has also shortened considerably the painful week or two of a cold sore. It doesn't work overnight, but being consistent over a couple of days works wonders! I will definitely use it every time!"

• bocaboy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2015

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "I was already 3 days into a breakout and decided to go to the pharmacy and look for something to help alleviate the pain. I chose Abreva because it was FDA approved, but truthfully wasn't expecting much. To make matters worse, I have a beard that covers the sore. After only 1 day the sore was much, much better and virtually all of the related pain on my cheek and chin was gone. By the second day the sore was barely there. I'm now a fan of this treatment and will definitely purchase it again at the very first sign of an outbreak. For me, Abreva is a "keeper.""

• lesju...
• August 28, 2017

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Starting getting cold sores a few years ago and Abreva used to work but now I have used it last time and this time and not only does not work but appears to make it worse. I usually only have one small one the whole time and it is gone in a few days. Now, both times I have used it, the one cold sore tripled and it bigger than ever. Will not waste my money on this product anymore. They have definitely changed something and not for the better."

• Walter
• January 7, 2016

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "I've tried this product twice and both times it did zero to help even when applying at first "tingling". The cold sore took just as long to heal as when I use nothing. Plus it continued to spread on the third day. I applied 5 times a day as recommended and ran out on the 3rd day. Waste of money."

• Blehb...
• November 5, 2019

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Vitamin C. Make it your best friend. It binds to the water in your body not your blood so you have to take it consistently. They call them “cold sores “ because your immune system is compromised while you have a cold so it gives the virus a chance to break out. It sucks. I get mine on my nose and hurts terribly."

• trueb...
• November 5, 2015

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "I have had the worse case of cold sores for nearly 10yrs now, I use to live by Lysine ointment because I thought it was the best fastest treatment of cold sores compared to the numerous other ones I had tried that made it worse. I've learned over these years that not everyone gets cold sores the same severity, mine are sometimes started on my lip then spread away from lip & onto upper lip or even cheek, form into at least 10 mini blisters leaving incredible damage on face! I had avoided Abreva because of the price at the time (nearly $20),I couldn't find my lysine so I tried Abreva, it is the overall best coldsore med on the market! PROMISE!"

• Noni
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2018

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Abreva doesn't work, and I'm convinced that all these comments saying it does are fake. I've used it as directed on two different occasions now, and the blister forms anyway and ends up huge. This is an absolute waste of $20 for a teeny little tube that does nothing at all. It's back to high doses of lysine for me (which by the way works really well), never buying this again."

• Krtsa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2015

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "There are reviews that may make you question it. But I've had cold sores I left untreated that left scars and lasted for weeks. This isn't a cure but it significantly reduced the size and time of my cold sore. It's worth the twenty bucks."

• Very...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2015

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "I have suffered from cold sores since I was a teenager. Nothing worked! I've tried carmex,lysine,cold sore capsticks and nothing prevented nor stopped the process til abreva. I used to suffer the painfully swollen lip, ugly crusted scabs, and the pitying but slightly disgusted stares in silence and mortification. Now I have a remedy that completely ends the cycle and I couldn't be more happy! I will say that to see results you have to be diligent in your application of this product. I know the bottle says 4 times a day but I put the cream on every hour after the redness started and the cold sore never grew or left a scab! I know the cost is a little high but believe me it's so worth it. Another tip is to not buy the pump of abreva."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2008

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "I have used abreva everytime I get a coldsore/fever blister. I get them really bad all the time. I usually have coldsores/fever blisters any where from 3-4 weeks. Abreva has cut down how long I have them down to a week or a week and a half. It has also gradually made them smaller until they are gone."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2017

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "Don't buy the abreva pump. It's a rip off. I've used abreva for years. The pump gives the impression of being more. There scam is when you push the pump way more cream gets expelled than needed. I'm half way through my outbreak and totally out of cream. Just open it up and see the tiny tiny little tube Time to go on prescription . To bad for this corporate company I'm tired of being ripped off by these thieves."

• Annie
• February 9, 2017

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "got my first cold sore in 2010. started first with a tingle, then itchy, then inflammation as the blister tried to make it to the surface. There was a raised, circular shape where I knew the cold sore was coming. Rushed to Walmart to get abreva (back then it was still in the tube and $16) and applied it about every 2-3 hrs that day. The blister itself never actually was able to form into an unsightly sore (no scab), though I still saw the circular, raised area which took about 3-4 days to fully disappear. Over the course of a year, I had about 3 more cold sores in the same spot, always applied abreva at the first tingle and it never surfaced. This week got a cold sore for the first time in 7 years, put on abreva and again, never surfaced"

• South...
• September 12, 2018

Abreva (docosanol) for Herpes Simplex "I am not one to get fever blisters but I have had a few, this is the first time I have used abreva and it was a serious mistake. It became HUGE over night and is white and puffy on top now and keeps getting bigger. I will never use this again, it is EXPENSIVE too. I do not recommend this to anyone, it is terrible."