Abreva

Herpes Labialis

Treatment

2 FDA approvals

0 Active Studies for Abreva

What is Abreva

Docosanol

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Docosanol is a medication that helps prevent and reduce the symptoms of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores or fever blisters). It contains a special saturated alcohol that has antiviral properties and helps stop the herpes simplex virus from entering cells and replicating.

Abreva

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Abreva Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Abreva

Docosanol

2010

52

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Docosanol, also known as Abreva, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses which include Cold Sore and Herpes Labialis .

Cold Sore

Herpes Labialis

Effectiveness

How Abreva Affects Patients

Docosanol is an alcohol-based medicine used to treat cold sores and fever blisters on the face or lips caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). It helps to heal the sore faster, and can reduce the tingling, pain, burning, and itching that often comes with HSV. Docosanol cannot prevent cold sores or fever blisters from appearing.

How Abreva works in the body

Docosanol blocks the herpes simplex virus (HSV) from entering and replicating within human cells. It does this by preventing the virus from fusing with the cell's plasma membrane, which stops the virus from spreading. This method of action is different from other antiviral treatments, which makes it less likely for the virus to become resistant to the drug.

When to interrupt dosage

The prescribed amount of Abreva is contingent upon the diagnosed condition. The amount of dosage is contingent upon the technique of delivery referenced in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Herpes Labialis

, 10.0 %, 0.1 mg/mg

, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical

Warnings

Abreva has one contraindication, hence it should not be employed when suffering from the conditions enumerated in the following table.

Abreva Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Common Abreva Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abreva Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Overdosing on Rifampicin can lead to headaches, stomach pains, increased levels of lipase in the blood, nausea, indigestion, dizziness, and high levels of bilirubin.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Abreva Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Abreva?

Currently, there are 0 active trials analyzing the potential of Abreva to address Cold Sore issues.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Herpes Labialis

0 Actively Recruiting

Abreva Reviews: What are patients saying about Abreva?

5

Patient Review

11/15/2018

Abreva for Cold Sore

I got cold sores from my parents and have had them since I was thirteen. Abreva is always my go-to product because it really works. Just remember to wash your hands before using it!

5

Patient Review

8/13/2019

Abreva for Cold Sore

Abreva always works well for me, as long as I put it on immediately after noticing a cold sore. If I wait even five minutes, it's not nearly as effective.

5

Patient Review

10/4/2019

Abreva for Cold Sore

Abreva is most effective when used at the first sign of a cold sore. It cannot make existing outbreaks disappear, but it can lessen their size and duration. This product does exactly what it claims to do; I haven't found anything better.

5

Patient Review

2/4/2019

Abreva for Cold Sore

I used to get cold sores multiple times a year, and they were so bad that I would have to take time off from work. But since using Abreva, I've found that it cuts the healing time by several days and prevents the formation of painful, oozing scabs. It's not a cure-all, but it makes a noticeable difference if you start treatment at the first sign of a tingle. I always keep this product on hand now - it's a life saver!

5

Patient Review

5/27/2019

Abreva for Cold Sore

Abreva really helped me out when I had a cold sore come up right before my dental surgery. It cleared it right up and I didn't have to worry about anything.

5

Patient Review

8/30/2022

Abreva for Cold Sore

This works really well, but you have to make sure you use it as soon as you feel the first tingle of a cold sore.

3

Patient Review

12/30/2021

Abreva for Cold Sore

I found that using vanilla extract (not artificial) was helpful in reducing my anxiety.

3

Patient Review

8/2/2022

Abreva for Cold Sore

Abbreva worked great for me at first, but lately it seems like the formula has changed and it's not working as well. This is the third time this has happened, and I'm pretty disappointed.

3

Patient Review

9/5/2022

Abreva for Cold Sore

I tried this ointment at the first sign of a problem, but it didn't help. The scar is just as bad as before.

2.3

Patient Review

3/7/2019

Abreva for Cold Sore

I tried using this medication as soon as I felt a cold sore coming on, but it didn't seem to make the duration any shorter. However, I have found that icing the area when the cold sore is first starting to bloom is much more effective than using this medication.

2

Patient Review

12/3/2019

Abreva for Cold Sore

This is way too expensive for what it does, which isn't much compared to some natural remedies I have tried.

1.7

Patient Review

9/8/2022

Abreva for Cold Sore

I was very disappointed with this product. I followed the instructions to a T and saw no results. I think it's a waste of money and would not recommend it to anyone.

1.7

Patient Review

3/10/2019

Abreva for Cold Sore

Expensive and does nothing. What a scam!

1

Patient Review

1/20/2022

Abreva for Cold Sore

This medication made my cold sore much worse and caused a nasty infection. I had to go to the doctor because of it. Do not recommend!

1

Patient Review

3/26/2019

Abreva for Cold Sore

Abreva has been a bust for me, unfortunately. I've tried it three times now and saw zero difference in my cold sore symptoms; even when using it at the earliest sign of a breakout. Next time, I'll be trying a different treatment.

1

Patient Review

4/15/2019

Abreva for Cold Sore

I tried this when I already had a cold sore, and it did nothing.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about abreva

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How long will it take for Abreva to work?

"Abreva works to shorten the duration of pain, itching, burning, and tingling immediately after application. It is the only FDA approved nonprescription medicine that has been clinically proven to heal a cold sore in as little as 2½ days."

Answered by AI

How long do you leave Abreva on?

"Continue applying the cream for at least 10 days, or until the scab has come off. It's better not to try and peel the scab off as you could damage the new skin underneath. Wait for the scab to come off on its own."

Answered by AI

How many times a day should I apply Abreva?

"If you're wondering how often to use Abreva® Cream, the recommended amount is five times per day. If you miss an application time, just reapply immediately and then again after a few hours."

Answered by AI

What exactly does Abreva do?

"This cream can help to speed up the healing process of cold sores, as well as decrease symptoms such as tingling, pain, burning, and itching. The cream does this by blocking the virus that causes cold sores (herpes simplex) from entering healthy skin cells, and prevent it from growing in numbers."

Answered by AI