Well-being
Cold Sores
Acyclovir is an antiviral medication for the treatment and suppression of infections caused by the herpes virus. It can be applied topically or can be taken orally in the form of tablets or a liquid suspension. Not all options are available over-the-counter.
Acyclovir (aciclovir) is used to treat infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), which can cause cold sores (HSV-1 only) and genital herpes. It is also prescribed to individuals infected by herpes zoster (shingles), varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) and sometimes for the treatment of Bell’s palsy.
Acyclovir does not cure HSV, but it will stop the virus from replicating in your body.
Acyclovir has been extensively tested and produces little to no side effects for most patients. However, you should talk to your doctor before taking acyclovir if you suffer from one of the following:
To treat cold sores (fever blisters), your doctor may prescribe acyclovir cream (Zovirax) or an ointment containing the active ingredient.
Make sure you wash your hands before touching the infected area. Apply a thin layer of the cream up to 5 times a day, 4 hours apart. In most cases, topical treatment will last 5 to 7 days.
You should begin treatment as soon as symptoms occur. The earliest symptoms of cold sores include tingling and an itching sensation surrounding the lip. Symptoms should begin to improve within 48 hours, but it could take longer depending on the severity of the infection and when you started treatment.
Side effects of acyclovir cream (Zovirax) include:
Get immediate medical help If you notice any of these severe side effects:
Most people who are HSV carriers may never notice any symptoms at all, whilst others may experience frequent breakouts. Cold sores recur on avergage once yearly, but if you get them very often, your doctor can prescribe oral acyclovir to help suppress the symptoms and avoid future outbreaks.
Your healthcare provider will usually prescribe acyclovir tablets (200mg or 400mg) or an oral suspension (200mg) to treat genital herpes.
Genital herpes causes blisters, itching and discomfort in the genital and anal areas. It is spread via sexual contact and bodily fluids. It can be caused by both HSV-1 (via oral sex) and HSV-2.
It is recommended that you begin treatment as soon as symptoms occur (within 48 hours) to speed up recovery. In most cases, patients are prescribed 200 mg of acyclovir to be taken 5 times a day, at 4-hour intervals for 5 days.
Genital herpes has a fairly high recurrence rate. One study found that 38% of patients had at least 6 outbreaks a year. Suppression therapy is usually recommended for people who suffer from genital herpes frequently.
To suppress herpes outbreaks, your doctor may ask you to take 200 mg of acyclovir up to 4 times a day, or 400 mg 2 times a day, 12 hours apart.
Common side effects of oral acyclovir include:
Serious side effects that require urgent medical attention include:
If your immune system is very weak or this is your first genital herpes outbreak, your doctor may prescribe acyclovir cream in addition to tablets to treat the blisters.
When you’ve got a herpes breakout, you want to heal as quickly as possible. And whilst some treatments are available over-the-counter, others require a prescription.
In the U.S., you cannot buy acyclovir cream or ointments over-the-counter. The only topical treatment approved for over-the-counter sales is Abreva which contains docosanal (10%) as its active ingredient.
The following medications require a prescription form a doctor or an online consultation:
Acyclovir cream (Zovirax) is available to purchase over-the-counter in the European Union.
You can make an appointment with a doctor or healthcare provider to get a prescription for acyclovir. If it is your first herpes breakout, you should see a doctor to ensure you have the right diagnosis.
Alternatively, you can book an online health assessment with a medical advisor at an online pharmacy. This is a convenient way to buy acyclovir to manage recurring symptoms or suppress symptoms in the long-term. Your online pharmacist will help you determine the best course of treatment.
You won’t need a prescription from a doctor to buy acyclovir online. Acyclovir tablets (400mg) start at $8.50 for 15 tablets.
Reviewed by Dr Roy Kedem, MD
Information last reviewed 07/12/21
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