Docosanol topical and Headaches: What Users Say

• Izz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 13, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "They must have changed the formula?!?! I'm having the same awful experience most of you are. Felt the tingle, ran to the pharmacy as fast as I could (drove). When I got there in the morning, there was only the $40 2-pack and nothing else on the shelf?! I didn't have a choice. Got it, and it's the most masochistic way I've ever spent money. Put it on, took a nap (keeping my face positioned up), and woke up two hours later to my lip swollen 4x the normal size. Three massive blisters spanned my lip after using this product. It used to help me in the past, and now my worst nightmare has happened. I'm too embarrassed to go to work like this and can't concentrate on anything but the throbbing pain that feels like my lip will actually burst."

• Kan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 8, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I got my first cold sore in high school, and my lip swelled up so big that I couldn’t talk. Well, I’m out of college now and have tried to continue using Abreva, and I’m not kidding when I say it makes my cold sore even worse, if that’s possible! My lip will swell up so big that it splits, and I break out into more sores if I use Abreva. It will also take 2 weeks for the scabs to come off. My lip is so damaged and scarred now. I switched to a prescription topical and an oral cold sore medication. I also take Lysine every day and use Lysine ointment as lip balm as well. I used to only get them once a year, and now I get them every 3-4 months. My advice is to steer clear of Abreva!"

• Kpa...
• July 15, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "For the last three years, I’ve gotten a cold sore in the summertime. Usually induced by stress, hormones, and sunshine. This past week, I felt the tingle on my lip and went to Walgreens immediately to get Abreva. It has worked in the past, drying up the sore and allowing me to move on with life. However, this time it made my cold sore way worse. It spread onto my cheek and to the other side of my lip. The product is so runny that it naturally spreads throughout your face when you go to rub it in. My face has been burning for two days now. I’ve been applying ice and warm towels to my face. I even took out my 800 mg ibuprofen I was given six months ago for postpartum recovery because the pain was that bad. I spent a whole day with a headache and feeling all around ill. Needless to say, this product is a scam and needs to be removed from the market. Thank you to those who shared alternative ways for relief."