Cold sore medications explained

FDA has approved various medications for cold sore cures. The medications include various antiviral creams and oral drugs too. A complete description is given below.

a) Denavir: This is also known as Penciclovir 1% cream. You need to apply it on the affected area every two hours and continue this for four days. It will give you best result if you start applying it within 1 hour of getting affected by the virus. Then you can expect the healing process to speed up by at least 2 days.

b) Acyclovir 5% cream: This is also approved by FDA for cold sores cures. If you apply it frequently then the time to heal your cold sore would be reduced by half a day.

c) Acyclovir tablets: These are mainly given to children and the normal prescription is for five times a day. It reduces the healing time from 10 to 4 days and also reduces the pain and swelling

d) Famciclovir: If you start taking Famciclovir 1500 mg from the first sign of outbreak then the healing process will be reduced by at least two days.

e) Valacyclovir or Valtrex: Take Valtrex 2 gm tablets twice a day when you first feel the sign of outbreak and the healing process will become faster by about two days.

All these medications would help you get cured from cold sores faster.