Acyclovir vs Docosanol
 | Acyclovir |  | Docosanol |  |
| Acyclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats cold sores around the mouth (caused by herpes simplex), shingles (caused by herpes zoster), and chickenpox. | Docosanol is used to treat "cold sores/fever blisters" (herpes labialis). It can speed up healing of the sores and decrease symptoms (such as tingling, pain, burning, itching). It works by blocking the virus that causes the cold sores (herpes simplex) from entering the healthy skin cells and growing in number. This medication does not cure herpes and does not prevent passing the infection to someone else. It does not prevent a future occurrence. Do not use this medication to treat canker sores (sores found commonly in the mouth), shingles, or genital herpes. | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| Add Acyclovir review Contracted herpes from a guy I was dating. I knew something was wrong 2 weeks after we had sex, so I went to the emergency room. I thought it was a bad UTI but the doctor said it was cervicitis and gave me whatever shot it is they give people who have contracted an STD. Symptoms slowly got better and I went almost 6 months without an outbreak. Come to find out I have herpes. I started out taking a ... I am allergic to this med, unfortunately. I broke out in a rash all over my body after 2 days. also allergic to Valcyclovir. was told there is nothing else I can take. Dear fellow women with genital herpes - It is soooo very important that you have regular Pap exams. Because you have the herpes virus, you are prone to cervical cancer. I know -- I contracted it. So please, ya'll, have annual exams. | Add Docosanol review I have used Abreva for the last three or four epsodes of herpes labialis. I began applications 5 or 6 times a day at the very first hint of an outbreak - the tingling or feeling of tightness or the slight discomfort that occur prior to the full development of the cold sore. I have not had a cold sore erupt on any of the episodes where I used Abreva. None of the oral prescription drugs or prescription topical creams were able to prevent the development of the ulcer and scab. I have had cold sores for about 20 years and nothing has been as effective as Abreva if used early and applied every few hours. I am, by the way, a physician and familiar with the pharmacology of the various products available but, at least for me, Abreva has been absolutely amazing. the first few times i used abreva i saw ok results, but i kept having reaccuring sores every 1-2 months in the same spots on my lips, i was so fed up that i put abreva on the end of a small sewing needle and tattoo'd abreva into my sores continuously re dipping the needle into the abreva as i did thisi covered the entire area of infection changed needles and then covered the area surronding the infections, I have not had a cold sore in those area's since I did this, it's been over 6 months. note I did this out of desperate frustration and I caught the sores early when the skin just began to bubble. I started applying it on day one, several times a day and this is day 5 and I have not seen any relief. | |||
