Medications for Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex Labialis)
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 |
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valacyclovir | 9.0 | 232 reviews | Rx | ||||
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 |
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Valtrex | 9.1 | 152 reviews | Rx | ||||
Generic name: valacyclovir systemic Drug class: purine nucleosides For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information |
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acyclovir | 9.2 | 28 reviews | Rx | ||||
Generic name: acyclovir systemic Brand names: Zovirax, Sitavig Drug class: purine nucleosides For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information |
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Zovirax Cream | 7.7 | 35 reviews | Rx | ||||
Generic name: acyclovir topical Drug class: topical antivirals For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information |
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Zovirax Ointment | 9.8 | 4 reviews | Rx | ||||
Generic name: acyclovir topical Drug class: topical antivirals For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information |
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acyclovir | 8.0 | 50 reviews | Rx | ||||
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 |
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Denavir | 9.0 | 55 reviews | Rx | ||||
Generic name: penciclovir topical Drug class: topical antivirals For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information |
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famciclovir | 7.8 | 46 reviews | Rx | ||||
Generic name: famciclovir systemic Drug class: purine nucleosides For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information |
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Zovirax | 9.5 | 2 reviews | Rx | ||||
Generic name: acyclovir systemic Drug class: purine nucleosides For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information |
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Sitavig | 8.5 | 11 reviews | Rx | ||||
Generic name: acyclovir systemic Drug class: purine nucleosides For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information |
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benzocaine | 9.0 | 4 reviews | Rx/OTC | ||||
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 |
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acyclovir / hydrocortisone | 10 | 3 reviews | Rx | ||||
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 |
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penciclovir | 9.1 | 61 reviews | Rx | ||||
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 |
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Xerese | 10 | 2 reviews | Rx | ||||
Generic name: acyclovir / hydrocortisone topical Drug class: topical steroids with anti-infectives For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information |
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tetracaine | 9.0 | 2 reviews | Rx/OTC | ||||
Generic name: tetracaine topical Brand name: Pontocaine Drug class: topical anesthetics For consumers: interactions, side effects |
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benzyl alcohol | 4.0 | 1 review | Rx/OTC | ||||
Generic name: benzyl alcohol topical Drug class: topical anti-infectives For consumers: side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph |
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Kank-a | Rate | Add review | Rx/OTC | ||||
Generic name: benzocaine topical Drug class: topical anesthetics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects |
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Pontocaine | Rate | Add review | Rx/OTC | ||||
Generic name: tetracaine topical Drug class: topical anesthetics For consumers: interactions, side effects |
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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
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). |
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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. |
Pregnancy Category | |
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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 | |
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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 | |
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X | Interacts with Alcohol. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.