Skip to Content
Print Share

Medications for Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex Labialis)

More

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

    Medications to treat Cold Sores

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

    Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
    Valtrex B N 129 reviews
    9.0

    Generic name: valacyclovir systemic

    Drug class: purine nucleosides

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    valacyclovir B N 181 reviews
    9.0

    Generic name: valacyclovir systemic

    Brand name:  Valtrex

    Drug class: purine nucleosides

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    acyclovir B N 17 reviews
    9.0

    Generic name: acyclovir systemic

    Brand names:  Sitavig, Zovirax

    Drug class: purine nucleosides

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    Denavir B N 34 reviews
    8.0

    Generic name: penciclovir topical

    Drug class: topical antivirals

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    Zovirax Cream B N 13 reviews
    7.0

    Generic name: acyclovir topical

    Drug class: topical antivirals

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: Prescribing Information

     
    Zovirax Ointment B N 4 reviews
    9.0

    Generic name: acyclovir topical

    Drug class: topical antivirals

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    acyclovir B N 23 reviews
    7.0

    Generic name: acyclovir topical

    Brand names:  Zovirax Cream, Zovirax Ointment

    Drug class: topical antivirals

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    Famvir B N 7 reviews
    8.0

    Generic name: famciclovir systemic

    Drug class: purine nucleosides

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    famciclovir B N 27 reviews
    8.0

    Generic name: famciclovir systemic

    Brand name:  Famvir

    Drug class: purine nucleosides

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    Sitavig B N 8 reviews
    8.0

    Generic name: acyclovir systemic

    Drug class: purine nucleosides

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: Prescribing Information

     
    Zovirax B N Add review Rate

    Generic name: acyclovir systemic

    Drug class: purine nucleosides

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    acyclovir / hydrocortisone B N 1 review
    10

    Generic name: acyclovir / hydrocortisone topical

    Brand name:  Xerese

    Drug class: topical steroids with anti-infectives

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts

     
    benzocaine C N 3 reviews
    9.0

    Generic name: benzocaine topical

    Brand names:  Retre-Gel, Kank-a, Orabase

    Drug class: topical anesthetics

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    Retre-Gel C N 1 review
    10

    Generic name: benzocaine topical

    Drug class: topical anesthetics

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

     
    Xerese B N Add review Rate

    Generic name: acyclovir / hydrocortisone topical

    Drug class: topical steroids with anti-infectives

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: Prescribing Information

     
    penciclovir B N 37 reviews
    9.0

    Generic name: penciclovir topical

    Brand name:  Denavir

    Drug class: topical antivirals

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

    For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

     
    Kank-a C N Add review Rate

    Generic name: benzocaine topical

    Drug class: topical anesthetics

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

     
    Orabase C N Add review Rate

    Generic name: benzocaine topical

    Drug class: topical anesthetics

    For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

     
    Pontocaine C N Add review Rate

    Generic name: tetracaine topical

    Drug class: topical anesthetics

    For consumers: interactions, side effects

     
    tetracaine C N 1 review
    10

    Generic name: tetracaine topical

    Brand name:  Pontocaine

    Drug class: topical anesthetics

    For consumers: interactions, side effects

     
    benzalkonium chloride / benzocaine N N Add review Rate

    Generic name: benzalkonium chloride / benzocaine topical

    Drug class: mouth and throat products

    For consumers: interactions,

    For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts

     
    benzyl alcohol B N Add review Rate

    Generic name: benzyl alcohol topical

    Drug class: topical anti-infectives

    For consumers: side effects

    For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

     

    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.

    Legend

    Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
    Prescription Only / Over the Counter
    Rx Prescription Only
    OTC Over the Counter
    Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
    Pregnancy
    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 Schedule
    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.

    Browse Drugs by Condition

    A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

    Drugs.com Mobile Apps

    The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Available for Android and iOS devices.

    Explore Apps
    Hide