Medications for cold sores are used to treat herpes labialis (cold sores), a type of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. These medications also have other uses, such as managing genital herpes. They work by stopping the virus from multiplying, which helps to reduce symptoms and speed up healing. Common classes include antiviral medications. Medications like valacyclovir (Valtrex) and famciclovir (Famvir) are taken orally, while acyclovir is available in both oral tablet and topical dosage forms. Topical treatments like penciclovir (Denavir) and docosanol (Abreva) are applied directly to the cold sore. Xerese is a combination cream that contains acyclovir and hydrocortisone to both prevent the spread of infection and decrease symptoms such as redness and swelling. These medications offer various ways to help manage and treat your cold sores effectively.
