Cold Sore Treatments
Unfortunately, there’s no known cure or prevention for people infected with the HSV virus – the virus that causes cold sores – although there are treatments that can help reduce the frequency and duration of a cold sore outbreak.
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Cold Sore Medications
OTC cold sore treatments can be found in just about any drugstore or pharmacy, and at many grocery stores and retail stores that carry various medications. Topical cold sore creams, ointment treatments are popular, and many help lessen the symptoms and discomfort associated with a cold sore outbreak. Some even claim to speed up the healing time of a cold sore. However, some of these medications require or repeated dosing over several days.
Prescription Cold Sore Treatments
If you seek medical attention for a cold sore outbreak, your doctor may write you a prescription for a cold sore medication. Prescription treatments for cold sores come in various forms, including topical creams and ointments, as well as oral medications. Your doctor will determine which prescription cold sore treatment is right for you based on your individual situation, as well as his/her familiarity with your symptoms and medical history.
If you’re a frequent cold sore sufferer, you may want to ask your doctor about prescription Sitavig. Sitavig is a breakthrough prescription cold sore spot treatment that’s safe, effective and discreet. Sitavig’s unique One-and-Done Dosing has been shown to stop a cold sore from developing in some patients when taken soon after symptoms emerge.¹
In addition, clinical trials demonstrated that Sitavig can help reduce the duration of cold sore outbreaks by approximately one day, and may also help lengthen the time between breakouts.¹*
Additional resources:
*Data on the incidence and delay of the next recurrence need further confirmation as they were obtained on a subset of patients.
References
- Bieber T, Chosidow O, Bodsworth N, Tyring S, Hercogova J, Bloch M, Davis M, Lewis M, Boutolleau D, Attali P and the LIP Study Group. Efficacy and safety of acyclovir mucoadhesive buccal tablet in immunocompetent patients with labial herpes (LIP): A double-blind, placebo-controlled, self-initiated trial. J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(7):791-798. View study (link will lead you to the JDD site).
Indication & Important Safety Information
Sitavig® (acyclovir) 50 mg buccal tablet is indicated for
the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent
adults.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- Sitavig® (acyclovir) 50 mg buccal tablet should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to acyclovir, milk protein concentrate, or any other component of the product.
- Sitavig has not been studied in immunocompromised patients. No interaction studies have been performed. Sitavig’s safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients.
- There are no available data on Sitavig use in pregnant women. However, published observational studies over decades of use of acyclovir have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. It is not known if Sitavig is excreted in breast milk; however, systemic exposure following buccal administration of acyclovir is minimal. Before administration, discuss if the patient is lactating or planning to breastfeed.
- The possibility of viral resistance to acyclovir should be considered in patients who fail to respond or experience recurrent viral shedding during therapy.
- In a controlled clinical trial, the most common side effects (greater than or equal to 1%) for Sitavig were: headache (3%), dizziness (1%), lethargy (1%), gingival (gum) pain (1%), aphthous stomatitis (canker
sores) (1%), application site pain (1%), application site irritation (1%), erythema (redness) (1%), and rash (1%). In the same trial, these side effects ranged from 0% to 3% for placebo.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription
drugs to the FDA. Call
1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please see Full Prescribing Information.