Abreva® Cream contains 10 percent docosanol, which blocks the herpes simplex virus from entering healthy skin cells, inhibiting its growth based on laboratory studies i. Abreva cold sore cream has been clinically proven to reduce healing time, as well as symptoms such as pain and burning, itching or tingling.

Abreva contains 10% docosanol, the only FDA approved non-prescription ingredient that can actually shorten healing time and the duration of symptoms including tingling, pain, itching, and burning. The sooner you start using ABREVA, the sooner you can begin healing your cold sore.

Drug Summary Abreva (docosanol cream) is a cold sore/fever blister treatment used to treat cold sores/fever blisters on the face or lips. It shortens healing time and duration of symptoms such as tingling, pain, burning, and/or itching.

GlaxoSmithKline Product information

In other words, you can expect to get about half the outbreaks you did before taking the medication. In addition, it can be taken, at a higher dose, at the first sign (usually a tingling sensation) of an outbreak to prevent it from coming all together.

What are the side effects of Abreva (Docosanol Topical)? Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; feeling light-headed; wheezing, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

Marketed under the trade name Abreva® in the U.S. by GlaxoSmithKline, Abreva® is the largest selling consumer healthcare product in the U.S. for the treatment of cold sores.

Abreva 10% Docosanol Cream Treatment for Cold Sore/Fever Blister, 0.07 Ounce. Infused with 10% Docosanol, this FDA-approved, non-prescription medicine works to treat cold sores, which is why we chose it as our top pick.

It's the only nonprescription cold sore medicine approved by the FDA to shorten healing time. When applied at the first sign, Abreva® is clinically proven to heal a cold sore in as little as 2½ days*. Simply put, it's your best defense for fighting off a cold sore.

Abreva® Cream can be used by adults and children over 12 years old. It should be used five times a day for up to 10 days. And because cold sores are contagious, you won't want to share your tube of Abreva® Cream with others. Doing so may spread the infection.

Docosanol cream is an over-the-counter (OTC) product used to treat cold sores and fever blisters. Docosanol cream is available under the following different brand names: Abreva.

Abreva has an average rating of 4.5 out of 10 from a total of 426 ratings on Drugs.com. 36% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 56% reported a negative effect. Acyclovir has an average rating of 8.3 out of 10 from a total of 186 ratings on Drugs.com.

Are Zovirax and Abreva the Same Thing? Zovirax (acyclovir) and Abreva (docosanol cream) are antiviral medications used to treat different conditions caused by the herpes virus. Zovirax is used to treat shingles, chickenpox, and genital herpes. Abreva is used to treat cold sores/fever blisters on the face or lips.

Knowing how long to use Abreva® Cream and when to stop using it is important. Abreva® should be used for a maximum of 10 days.

Cold sores usually clear up without treatment within 7 to 10 days. Antiviral tablets or cream can be used to ease your symptoms and speed up the healing time.