Cold sores are painful and oozing, and they always seem to appear before that wedding or class reunion. Also called fever blisters, the small, fluid-filled lesions typically form near or on your lips and can cause symptoms such as tingling, itching, or burning. They’re caused by the. There are two types of herpes virus.

Cold sores are typically caused by type 1 virus (HSV-1). But in some cases, HSV-1 can cause sores on the genitals and type 2 virus (HSV-2) can cause sores on the mouth. There’s no cure for cold sores. But, because they’re caused by a virus, they can be treated with antiviral medications. These include the prescription medication Valtrex.

Valtrex, which contains the active ingredient valacyclovir, can help your cold sores clear up faster. It can also reduce the number of cold sores you get. Read on to learn how Valtrex works and how to use it to treat your cold sores. Cold sores typically start to heal on their own within about four to six days.

Although, the first cold sore you get will likely last longer. Most people don’t require treatment for their cold sores, but, in some cases, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication such as Valtrex. This may be because you get cold sores often or if you’re at high risk of serious complications, such as from a weakened immune system. To treat a cold sore, you take Valtrex on the day you notice a cold sore forming. Valtrex works by preventing the herpes virus from growing and spreading. Your doctor may also prescribe Valtrex to help prevent future cold sores, which is an use. In that case, you and your doctor would work together to create the best treatment plan for you.

Valtrex is an oral caplet. It comes in 500-milligram and 1-gram strengths. It’s available as a brand-name product as well as a generic medication (valacyclovir).

The generic product is an oral tablet which comes in the same strengths. For adults and children 12 years and older The recommended dosage is 2 grams twice daily, taken 12 hours apart, for one day. Valtrex should be started at the earliest signs of a cold sore.

For children 11 years and younger Valtrex is not recommended for treating cold sores in children of this age group. But it can be used to treat chickenpox in children ages 2 years and older.

Spruance S, Overall J, Kern E, Krueger G, Pliam V, Miller W. The natural history of recurrent herpes simplex labialis. JAMA 1977;297:69-75.

Spruance S, Stewart J, Rowe N, McKoeugh M, Wenerstrom G, Freeman D. Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis with oral acyclovir. J Infect Dis 1990;161:181-190. Spruance S, Nett R, Marbury T, Wolff R, Johnson J, Spaulding T. Acyclovir cream for treatment of herpes simplex labialis: results of two randomized, double-blind, vehicle- controlled multicenter clinical trials. Antimicrobial Agents Chemother 20-2243.

Spruance S, Jones T, Blatter M, et al. High-dose, short-duration, early valacyclovir therapy for episodic treatment of cold sores: results of two randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies. Antimicrobial Agents Chemother 20-1080. Clin Evid online Issue 10 2003. London: BMJ Publishing Group, last updated December 2002. Available at:. Accessed on May 19, 2004.

Treatment and prevention of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. UpToDate version 12.2, last updated February 25, 2004. Available at: UpToDate.com. Accessed on July 14, 2004.

Availableat: www. Accessed on August 18, 2004. EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER When herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 lesions are in the papule or vesicle stage, there is no benefit to starting oral acyclovir (strength of recommendation SOR: C, based on expert opinion). However, topical acyclovir 5% cream applied 5 times a day decreases pain and the duration of hard crust (SOR: B, extrapolated from randomized controlled trials RCTs). If started at the onset of symptoms (during the prodrome stage), acyclovir (400 mg 5 times daily for 5 days) decreases pain and healing time to loss of crust and valacyclovir (2 g twice daily for 1 day) reduces the lesion duration and time to healing and may prevent lesion development (SOR: A, based on RCTs).

Evidence summary Cold sores, or herpes labialis, are caused by HSV. Recurrent lesions progress quickly through several stages (prodrome, erythema, papule, vesicle, ulcer, crust, residual swelling, healed). Because of the rapid development of the vesicle stage (. Spruance S, Overall J, Kern E, Krueger G, Pliam V, Miller W.

The natural history of recurrent herpes simplex labialis. JAMA 1977;297:69-75. Spruance S, Stewart J, Rowe N, McKoeugh M, Wenerstrom G, Freeman D. Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis with oral acyclovir. J Infect Dis 1990;161:181-190.

Zovirax Cold Sore Cream Prescription

Spruance S, Nett R, Marbury T, Wolff R, Johnson J, Spaulding T. Acyclovir cream for treatment of herpes simplex labialis: results of two randomized, double-blind, vehicle- controlled multicenter clinical trials. Antimicrobial Agents Chemother 20-2243. Spruance S, Jones T, Blatter M, et al.

Zovirax Cold Sore Cream

High-dose, short-duration, early valacyclovir therapy for episodic treatment of cold sores: results of two randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies. Antimicrobial Agents Chemother 20-1080. Clin Evid online Issue 10 2003. London: BMJ Publishing Group, last updated December 2002. Available at: Accessed on May 19, 2004. Treatment and prevention of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. UpToDate version 12.2, last updated February 25, 2004.

Available at: UpToDate.com. Accessed on July 14, 2004. Availableat: www. Accessed on August 18, 2004.