Cold Sore Medications
Cold sore season is quickly approaching, as the weather is turning colder. Yet cold sores can happen anytime of the year since they are also caused by stress, illnesses, low immune systems, and extreme weather conditions. The cold sore is a herpes virus called Herpes Simplex Type 1. It is a treatable virus unlike the Type 2 herpes virus that is also known as genital warts that is not curable.
Some of the medications available to treat the herpes virus. The prescription medications include Zovirax and Denavir. They are FDA approved medications to treat cold sores and fever blisters.
Zovirax cream 5% also called acyclovir and Denavir cream 1% also called penicilovir have been approved for cold sores since 2002 by the FDA. Both medications work by inhibiting the herpes virus from reproducing and spreading. They both contain antiviral components that are highly effective. To best treat the cold sore is to start treatment at the beginning stages called Tingle state to stop the virus from maturing to a higher and more contagious stage. The medications limit the virus particles, which then slowing kills the virus allowing the sore to heal. The medications do not truly heal the virus just contain it from spreading.
The medications will manage the virus that exists in the body and allow the cold sore to heal. It is important to realize the virus is dormant in the body’s system so cold sores can occur at other times. It is also very important to realize that the cold sore is highly contagious even when it is healing. Avoid sharing anything that is exposed to the cold sore to avoid spreading the virus. Studies show that Denavir is more effective than Zovirax based on a 2001 research. The effectiveness of the two medications were solid in the studies yet Denavir healed the cold sores faster yet Zovirax only trailed in the study by a slight margin. Even with the results of the study, it should be noted that both medications would effectively treat the cold sore virus to reduce the spreading and increase the healing time. If you are interested in these medications, consult your physician.