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Medications for Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex Labialis)

A cold sore is a fluid-filled blister caused by infection by herpes simplex virus. They usually appear at the edge of the lips.

Drugs used for Cold Sores

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
valacyclovir 8.9 258 reviews for valacyclovir to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
valacyclovir systemic
Brand name:
Valtrex
Drug class:
purine nucleosides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Valtrex 9.1 164 reviews for Valtrex to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
valacyclovir systemic
Drug class:
purine nucleosides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
acyclovir 9.0 36 reviews for acyclovir to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
acyclovir systemic
Brand names:
Zovirax, Sitavig
Drug class:
purine nucleosides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Zovirax Cream 6.7 45 reviews for Zovirax Cream to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
acyclovir topical
Drug class:
topical antivirals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zovirax Ointment 9.8 4 reviews for Zovirax Ointment to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
acyclovir topical
Drug class:
topical antivirals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
acyclovir 7.2 60 reviews for acyclovir to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
acyclovir topical
Brand names:
Zovirax Cream, Zovirax Ointment
Drug class:
topical antivirals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Denavir 9.1 59 reviews for Denavir to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
penciclovir topical
Drug class:
topical antivirals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zovirax 7.5 4 reviews for Zovirax to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
acyclovir systemic
Drug class:
purine nucleosides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
famciclovir 8.0 52 reviews for famciclovir to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
famciclovir systemic
Drug class:
purine nucleosides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Sitavig 8.5 12 reviews for Sitavig to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
acyclovir systemic
Drug class:
purine nucleosides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
benzocaine 8.7 6 reviews for benzocaine to treat Cold Sores
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
benzocaine topical
Brand names:
Cepacol Fizzlers, Kank-a, Orabase, Cepacol Dual Relief Sore Throat, Detane
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
acyclovir / hydrocortisone 10 3 reviews for acyclovir / hydrocortisone to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
acyclovir / hydrocortisone topical
Brand name:
Xerese
Drug class:
topical steroids with anti-infectives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
penciclovir 9.1 66 reviews for penciclovir to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
penciclovir topical
Brand name:
Denavir
Drug class:
topical antivirals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Xerese 10 2 reviews for Xerese to treat Cold Sores
Rx B N
Generic name:
acyclovir / hydrocortisone topical
Drug class:
topical steroids with anti-infectives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
tetracaine 9.0 2 reviews for tetracaine to treat Cold Sores
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
tetracaine topical
Brand name:
Pontocaine
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
benzyl alcohol 4.0 1 review for benzyl alcohol to treat Cold Sores
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
benzyl alcohol topical
Brand name:
Zilactin-L
Drug class:
topical anti-infectives
For consumers:
side effects
Cepacol Fizzlers Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
benzocaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Kank-a Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
benzocaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Orabase Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
benzocaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Pontocaine Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
tetracaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Cepacol Dual Relief Sore Throat Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
benzocaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Detane Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
benzocaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Zilactin-L Rate Add review
OTC B N
Generic name:
benzyl alcohol topical
Drug class:
topical anti-infectives
For consumers:
side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Alternative treatments for Cold Sores

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Cold Sores. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Cold Sores.

Learn more about Cold Sores

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.