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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.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
valacyclovir 9.0 249 reviews
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 9.1 161 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: valacyclovir systemic

Drug class: purine nucleosides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

acyclovir 8.9 33 reviews
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 7.1 41 reviews
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
Rx B N

Generic name: acyclovir topical

Drug class: topical antivirals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

acyclovir 7.5 56 reviews
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 9.0 57 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: penciclovir topical

Drug class: topical antivirals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

famciclovir 7.9 48 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: famciclovir systemic

Drug class: purine nucleosides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Zovirax 6.7 3 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: acyclovir systemic

Drug class: purine nucleosides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Sitavig 8.5 11 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: acyclovir systemic

Drug class: purine nucleosides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

benzocaine 8.6 5 reviews
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: benzocaine topical

Brand name:  Kank-a

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

acyclovir / hydrocortisone 10 3 reviews
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 63 reviews
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
Rx B N

Generic name: acyclovir / hydrocortisone topical

Drug class: topical steroids with anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

tetracaine 9.0 2 reviews
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
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: benzyl alcohol topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Kank-a 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

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

Care guides

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.
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.

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