Docosanol topical and Swelling: What Users Say

• Kan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 16, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "So, unfortunately, I have had cold sore outbreaks for years. I hate the stigma attached to them. But I've always used Abreva, from the pump or the tube. Both worked great. However, this time I'm currently laid up in bed, unable to speak because my cold sore has literally multiplied into several little bumps. It's incredibly painful to do anything, and my lip looks so swollen I feel like I was punched in the lip. I don't know what happened to Abreva, but it used to be good. This time has almost got me wanting to go to the hospital."

• Anonymous
• June 21, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I just joined the pool of unfortunate souls who fell victim to this harmful product. It's overpriced, the applicator isn't user-friendly, and yes, it made the cold sore way worse than it's ever been before. I usually get these sores right after having the flu. Sometimes, they're barely visible. This time, I had one tiny little spot in the center of my lip. I applied the product generously to the entire area. The entire bottom lip blew up within a few hours. There needs to be a class action lawsuit and a recall of this horrible product."

• ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 19, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Abreva worked for me up until now. It seems to make it worse. I have tried other things lately because the Abreva isn't cutting the healing time at all. Note, I have been soaking a cotton ball in whole milk and applying it for 5-10 minutes every 2 hours. It takes away the inflammation of the cold sore, feels much better, blends in with my skin... The milk has antiviral and bacterial properties that help. Try it!"

• Gir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2020

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I used Abreva when I was younger, and it really helped a lot. Now I recently saw a fever blister on the corner of my lip, so I went and bought Abreva right away and applied it to both sides of the corners of my lip. The next morning, both corners of my lip were super swollen, and there were several blisters! I couldn’t even close my mouth without being in such pain. Definitely won’t be ever using Abreva again. Very expensive, and I can’t even go out in public like this!"

• LAM...
• September 1, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I, too, thought Abreva was magic for a while. It was so reliable. If I caught the tingle early enough, no cold sore developed. If it was already in progress, it healed so quickly and painlessly. It always worked, and so I gladly paid the high price. A little over a year ago, I got one that started on my nose and took over half of my face. It got infected, and I needed two types of antibiotics. I didn't suspect the Abreva until now. This week, I used Abreva on a really small one on my lip, and now it's all the space between my lip and nose, advancing toward my eye, and I'm so swollen I can't eat. Antibiotics again. Goodbye, Abreva. Forever."

• Sep...
• January 16, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I could feel a cold sore coming on and I thought, guess I need some Abreva!! Ran to the store even though I was broke to buy a $20 tube of this stuff!! Started applying it immediately and what do you know, I’ve had the worst outbreak I’ve ever had!! Going on day three and my lip is swollen with two huge blisters!! I’m in pain!! Never again will I use it, and I don’t recommend use of it!!"

• D98...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2020

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I swear I am experiencing the same thing with the Abreva pump! I’ve used the tube, no problem, so I got a tingle, got the pump... & BOOM, the worst cold sore ever, it swelled, oozing & spread, also little hive-like bumps on top lip, as someone else stated. I went to the Dr. yesterday & was told I had an allergic reaction, I was given 2 shots, one prednisone, the other Benadryl.... sent home with a script for both to take in pill form. The swelling went down some. It’s been about 24 hrs, but the blisters are weeping and so am I. I’m just going to finish my meds, scrap the Abreva & continue with tea tree oil, aloe & original Neosporin..... After reading these comments, I’m glad I know I’m not crazy."

• EMS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2015

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I was really skeptical about paying so much for a small amount. Usually, my cold sores do not get very bad or noticeable, however, it did this time. The first day, I could feel the tingle. The second day, my lip was swollen to where my mouth couldn't close comfortably, and blisters had started. By the third day, my lip had swelled even bigger, and blisters were extremely noticeable. And by day four, blisters had popped, leaving a dark, crusty look, some swelling went down. By the beginning of day four, I was ready to pull my hair out. I went to the pharmacy and bought a small tube and began to use it like I use oxygen. Overnight, I applied a heavier coat, and by day five, the large scab from the blisters fell right off! Swelling was completely gone!"

• EMS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2015

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I was really skeptical about paying so much for a small amount. Usually, my cold sores do not get very bad or noticeable, however, it did this time. The first day, I could feel the tingle. The second day, my lip was swollen to where my mouth couldn't close comfortably, and blisters had started. By the third day, my lip had swelled even bigger, and blisters were extremely noticeable. And by day four, blisters had popped, leaving a dark, crusty look, some swelling went down. By the beginning of day four, I was ready to pull my hair out. I went to the pharmacy and bought a small tube and began to use it like I use oxygen. Overnight, I applied a heavier coat, and by day five, the large scab from the blisters fell right off! Swelling was completely gone!"

• Gir...
• October 20, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Used Abreva once prior (from the tube). Had some swelling, but within three days, everything seemed to be healed and back to normal. Used the new pump this time and, my God, things have taken a turn for the worse. Sometimes, after being in the sun for hours and from not getting enough rest, I’ll develop super tiny blisters on the inside of my upper lip. I put Abreva (from the pump) on this time and used it as I did with the Abreva from the tube. Never again. My entire lip is swollen 10x its normal size. It now looks like I have a million tiny little bubbles in my lip that I am praying do not surface. The original three little blisters are now 7-8 and are oozing. It hasn’t spread to my face or upper lip but seems to have spread across my entire bottom lip. I don’t know if it’s an allergic reaction or if the condition has worsened. Either way, I will not use this product again. I stopped using it completely for the past 24 hours, thinking the symptoms would subside. I was wrong."

• Len...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I've used Abreva in the past, it worked amazing. Normally, I apply as soon as I feel the tingle, but this time, oh my goodness, my face is so swollen. They must have changed the formula, this stuff used to be amazing, now it is garbage."

• Nik...
• April 19, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I have been getting severe cold sores since I was 6 years old. I was so excited the first time I bought this product when my lips were tingling and I knew they were developing, even though it was 5 times as expensive as Blistex and Carmex. I used it faithfully. By the next morning, my lip was extremely swollen, 3 sores formed, and I continued to use it 5-10 times per day. No luck, they lasted 10 days with the same severity. I have now used this product for two years hoping it will be different the next time. It never is. Unfortunately, I am not sure what tests were performed to allow the FDA approval and claim that it heals faster. I will go back to just using Carmex and planning for 10 days of pain and embarrassment:("

• 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."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I came here to read other reviews after buying my first tube of Abreva. Should have read the reviews first. Within hours of feeling the first symptom of a blister coming on, I bought Abreva on my way home after work. Biggest mistake of my life. I usually use Camphor, or something along those lines. Might have spelled it wrong, but nope. Decided to try the big-name brand and waste twenty dollars thinking this has got to work, and I caught it so early on, all proud and whatnot. My damn lip is so swollen. And I thought maybe this is a normal reaction and the swelling will go down. After two whole days, I've had enough. Went back to my camphor, and the swelling went down within the hour. So mad at myself for not reading reviews beforehand."

• ant...
• June 3, 2015

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Damn, this stuff really works. I first got a cold sore 4 years ago, and it usually happens every 6 months or once a year. And I knew it was due for an outbreak, and once I felt a bump coming, I told myself I'd buy a cold sore treatment, and WOW, in 3 days it's already gone. The BEST part is the swelling and pain go away, and it's not even noticeable. I will always buy this product. There might not be a cure, but thank God for whoever made this product to ACTUALLY work. I'd pay double for this if that was the price. Whoever hasn't tried this and is HSV-1, I very highly recommend trying this product."

• Jus...
• January 20, 2022

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I’ve gotten cold sores since I was a little kid. My mom would always tell me I need to apply Abreva, so that’s exactly what I always did. My cold sores would always get horribly big, and my lip would swell, and sometimes I felt they would even spread past where they were originally. Also, the cold sores would last up to 2 weeks. I noticed it usually only got like that after applying Abreva, but my mom swore that was not possible. So one day, when I got a cold sore, I decided to test my theory and just left it completely alone. Didn’t apply any medicine at all. My cold sore stayed relatively small. Didn’t spread or swell, and went away within a week. Even since that time, I just let my cold sores heal on their own with no medication, and it’s so much better. Abreva made me so insecure, I would try to get out of going to school or work because it made the blister so bad, obvious, and hideous. Do not purchase this. If you do, I would test with and then without. Best of luck."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I am not a person who gets cold sores often, but I had Abreva at my house, and I had the scare last time. Today I felt the tingly and itchy feeling within half an hour after I put the medicine on my lip, hoping it would make it better and not blister up because it was nothing but redness. Instead, it made things a hundred times worse. Within 12 hours, I felt discomfort, so I went to check what's going on, and when I wiped off the Abreva, I realized that there was a group of blisters, like a blister cluster, in two areas of my lips, one on the top and one on the bottom. It looks horrible, there's no way I can cover it up with makeup. It still feels tingly and itchy and swollen from the inside. This medication is horrible, I will never use it again. It's not only a waste of money, but as I'm reading comments, I'm not the only one whose cold sore was made much worse. Thanks, Abreva, now I can't leave my house for a week, I'm sure. I wish I could get my money back from this scam."

• Tre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Exactly as others have said - I put it on at the first tingle. Used it religiously ALL day. This morning I woke up with TWO huge blisters, my entire lip swollen, and pain radiating down my jaw. I am 31 and have had cold sores since before I started kindergarten. Never in my life has a product caused them to WORSEN. Biggest mistake, and waste of money. I don't know what to use now."

• Fed...
• December 19, 2016

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "This was a waste of my $20. I felt the tingle and rushed to the store. I was using the medicine religiously. The cold sore only got worse. The swelling and the pain were almost unbearable. This is about day 5, and I have a horrible-looking scab on my lip. I don't want to go outside. It's so embarrassing."

• Tao...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I agree with everyone here that says it made their cold sore 10x worse. I get cold sores like once or twice a year, and the last time I started to get one, I immediately applied Abreva, and the next day my lip was enormously swollen and spread to my bottom lip. I personally feel the best thing for cold sores is to apply Orajel for cold sores to it, ibuprofen for pain, Benadryl for the itching, and to use peroxide to clean it with cotton balls or just pouring it over the affected area. Abreva is awful and not to mention ridiculously expensive!"

• Enz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Do not buy Abreva! A terrible product that delivers horrific results. I used it on the first tingle and tiny bump on my upper lip indicating a sore was about to surface. Big mistake! Overnight my lip became so swollen, it looked like I was stung by a hornet! Also, the blisters multiplied in amount and size! Blisters also turned white and oozed profusely. I would rate this a minus 10 if I could. Just terrible!"

• Dan...
• February 18, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I have experienced cold sores since the age of 17. They were usually very large overall. I may have used Abreva in the past, but it is a little bit pricey for the amount. I had a small bubble in the middle of my top lip, so I put an alcohol swab on it, and the scab would form eventually. No big deal. Two days later, I woke up to another one adjacent to it on my bottom lip (much more tender area). So I was in a panic. I dabbed some tea tree oil and darted off to the pharmacy. Couldn't open the package of Abreva fast enough. I was going fishing on a boat this particular day and didn't want the sun flattering my newest addition to my lip. I had even poked a hole to alleviate a little pressure. To cut to the chase, I felt pressure on it the whole day, and it was puffy and full of fluid regardless of the multiple applications. Summary: awful and a complete waste of money. I decided to Google 'Abreva doesn't work,' and now I am here. I should have just saved the $20."

• Tem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Started to feel the tingle and put some Abreva on. Within 2 hours, I had 3 small visible blisters. Continued to treat with Abreva, hoping that it would make it stop growing, but it soon grew to nearly half of my lower lip with 8 separate sores. I'm very swollen and have never experienced this degree of cold sore discomfort before. Switching back to my expensive prescription meds, as Abreva did not work for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Abreva does not work!!! The FDA needs to ban it from the market! If I could post a picture, I would! I agree with everyone else's statements! Use Valtrex if you’re not allergic to it! Attack unsightly cold sore blisters as soon as they appear with Campho-Phenique Max strength! Throw away the Abreva in your drawer right now! Do it now! It does not work! I used it at the first sign of the tingle! Three hours later, my entire left side of my lip was swollen, and a large cluster of blisters was visible! Talk about embarrassing! We need to start a petition to get Abreva off the market! It is a scam!!!! Used a Q-tip to apply it! Ha! The end result: a swollen upper lip that’s semi-hardened on that side with multiple blisters! I have used it in the past. I will say within the last 8-10 years, I believe they have secretly changed the formulation, especially if you’re applying it at the first indication of a cold sore/fever blister!"

• 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!"