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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

Cold sores generally clear up without treatment within two weeks. Several types of prescription antiviral drugs may speed the healing process. Examples include:

  • Acyclovir (Xerese, Zovirax)
  • Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
  • Famciclovir (Famvir)
  • Penciclovir (Denavir)

Some of these products are packaged as pills to be swallowed, while others are creams to be applied to the sores. In general, the pills work better than the creams. Some antiviral drugs can be administered intravenously for severe infections.

Lifestyle and home remedies Tests and diagnosis
References
  1. Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh, U.K.; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..X0001-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed March 9, 2012.
  2. Herpes simplex. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/herpes-simplex. Accessed March 9, 2012.
  3. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..C2009-0-38601-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&uniqId=291436269-101. Accessed March 9, 2012.
  4. Klein RS. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 9, 2012.
  5. Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed March 9, 2012.
  6. Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed March 9, 2012.
  7. Klein RS. Epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 16, 2012.
  8. Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=45. Accessed March 16, 2012.
  9. Klein RS. Treatment of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in immunocompetent patients. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 16, 2012.
  10. Cold sores. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed March 19, 2012.
  11. Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-4/0/1481/0.html#. Accessed March 19, 2012.
DS00358 May 23, 2012

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