The Most Popular Cold Sore Medicines That Are Available.

By Jane Perone


If you are infected with the HSV-1 virus, the virus that causes cold sore outbreaks, you most likely will want to find a cold sore medication that will work for you. Unfortunately, there are very few medications that have been shown to be effective in treating cold sores.

Prescription cold sore medications can be prescribed in several dosages. Some doctors prefer the patient to keep the medication on hand, and then when an outbreak begins the patient starts taking the medication immediately.

Other doctors suggest that lower doses of the medication are taken on a daily basis-- this help to prevent future cold sore breakouts, and can be an effective treatment for people who get these sores frequently.

If you have repeated outbreaks your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to help with these occurrences. Although antiviral drugs can not cure cold sores, they certainly can help to curb the symptoms and shorten the duration of outbreaks. Many patients also report a decrease in size of the blisters and a reduction in the number of blisters experienced during an outbreak when they are on an antiviral medication.

There are gels and cremes that can be placed directly on the affected area, these formulas usually help to only relieve the pain and discomfort associated with the symptoms.

The frequent use of Zovirax cream can reduce the symptoms of fever blisters within as little as half a day. In order to reduce the symptoms further, a low dose of Acyclovir can be taken; however, to reduce the pain a higher dose of acyclovir is required.

There are also several over the counter topical medications that can help to ease symptoms. Benzocaine and lidocaine are two common numbing agents that work to relieve not only pain, but also burning and itching that is associated with this disease. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also be taken to ease the pain associated with cold sore blisters.

The internet offers mixed reviews on many of the dozens of cold sore medications on the market today, ranging from statements like "my cold sore was gone in two hours" to "this stuff made it worse!" Some cold sore medications obviously have a better track record than others, but it can be difficult to find the perfect remedy for that annoying and embarrassing cold sore.

The biggest factor that will contribute to the effectiveness of your chosen cold sore remedy is noting the stage at which the cold sore has developed when the first treatment is applied to the site.




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