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Docosanol topical and Redness: What Users Say

Brand names: Abreva

Redness: mentioned by 4 users (0.9%)

Based on user experiences from 437 Docosanol topical reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

swelling 10.3%
pain 6.4%
blisters 4.1%
tingling 3.9%
itching 3.2%
burning 1.8%
allergic reaction 1.1%
bleeding 0.9%
redness 0.9%
headaches 0.7%

Reviews for Docosanol topical

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Mas...
  • February 16, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I woke up in the morning with redness at the site and a very slight bump that I could tell would soon form into a blister. I immediately applied Abreva to the site as instructed and continued reapplying every 40 minutes or so. Within 3 hours, the cold sore erupted into a full-blown multi-blister sore. I quickly removed whatever was there and began to apply Zovirax. I have used it before but wanted to give Abreva a try. I WILL THROW AWAY WHATEVER I HAVE BOUGHT AND WILL NEVER USE ABREVA again. It literally made it 100 times worse."

1 / 10
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33 Report
  • Use...
  • December 31, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Very sad. Used Abreva for the first time (slight redness and tingling), there was no blister and hardly a bump. Within 12 hours, the Abreva brought out the cold sore, and it has a collection of 6 swollen white blisters on the main sore. It also spread the virus, and I feel another coming on the other side of my upper lip, as well as my lower lip. I am speechless. Do not buy this!!! PLEASE!!!"

1 / 10
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3 Report
  • Not...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 19, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "At the first tingle, I went and bought a tube of Abreva. The next day, my blister was horrible. Thought maybe it took a little bit of time, bought another tube 3 days later, and my blister has been the biggest I have ever had. I advise do NOT waste your money. This is horrible. I bought a can of Lysol spray, and 2 days later, my blister finally looks like it is starting to go away!! Coconut oil and tea tree oil has also helped decrease the redness."

1 / 10
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3 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 13, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I loved Abreva! I had my first cold sore ever on Monday, and I have a business trip to go to on Thursday morning, so Tuesday evening I ran out to the store and bought some Abreva! By Wednesday night, my cold sore was gone, the scab had already fallen off, and all I was doing was waiting for the redness to go down. I did not rate this product a 10 because I am unsure if the extreme redness was from the product itself or just because it is such a quick fix that it was slightly unnatural for the cold sore. It is unnaturally red compared to the rest of my lips, so I would say to use ice to help the cold sore redness go down. I would recommend this to any friend, and if I get another cold sore, I am using this."

8 / 10
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3 Report

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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.