Docosanol vs Zovirax
 | Docosanol |  | Zovirax |  |
| 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. | 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. This medication is also used to treat outbreaks of genital herpes. In people with frequent outbreaks, acyclovir is used to help reduce the number of future episodes. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. However, it is not a cure for these infections. The viruses that cause these infections continue to live in the body even between outbreaks. Acyclovir decreases the severity and length of these outbreaks. It helps the sores heal faster, keeps new sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the sores heal. In addition, in people with a weakened immune system, acyclovir can decrease the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious infections. | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| 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. | Add Zovirax review I was prescribed Zovirax for an outbreak of the shingles, the medication started drying up the sores fast, but my body feels achy all day, the headaches are unbearable at times and remembering to take every four hours 5 times a day is hard sometimes, but I guess it is worth it, bompared to the sores and pain. My doctor prescribed this for first sign of shingles - I had a rash on my side of my torso and a terrible pain inside this area. I could not even move a little and the pain would attack me. I felt relieve almost immeriatly after starting to take this drug. And in a few days, I had gotten rid of shingles. I love this drug. | |||
