Acyclovir for Cold Sores User Reviews

• Liz...
• November 29, 2018

"It's no exaggeration that cold sores on my lips have, in a way, been ruining my life. It has ended relationships, and I've learned to become ashamed. I had a boyfriend in high school who kissed me with one, and now I get them several times a year, and in the winter it's back to back. It's horrible. But this drug is a lifesaver. I wake up with mine, no tingles. I blast them instantly with 2 at a time every few hours, and by the end of the night, the blisters will cease. What took a week to two weeks to heal now only takes days, sometimes it's not even noticeable at all. I now take this every day to prevent outbreaks. This is a huge relief in my life. I recommend it for anyone who suffers like me!"

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2018

Acyclovir "Took one ten-day course of this antiviral over seven years ago and have never had even a hint of another fever blister symptom ever since. I felt better after the first week, and remarkably stronger after completing the 10-day prescription. Next best thing to a cure."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2018

"I'm a 35-year-old female who has suffered from cold sores for so long I have pictures of me as a 3-year-old with them, almost every yearbook picture, me with a cold sore. Every period, stressed, every holiday. I was prescribed Acyclovir at 33 years old after giving birth to my first child. I had an outbreak and worried about my son catching the virus from me (herpes is dangerous/deadly for infants) as my mother was so irresponsible when I caught it young. It's amazing, I remember thinking as a small child if given 3 wishes, one would be never to get cold sores again. I'd been on it and hadn't experienced one in almost 2 years. I'm very grateful I'd never experienced ocular or genital herpes and have great sympathy for those who do. Acyclovir is a miracle for me."

• Bob...
• March 7, 2016

Acyclovir "I have used this product for a year. The biggest problem with this medication is finding a pharmacy that can get it. I have only had to order it twice. The first time was from one big pharmacy. When I went to get it refilled, they couldn't get it. I then found a local small-town pharmacy. I was able to order it one time, tried to re-order it, and they can no longer get it. I will find another place to buy it. This is the only thing that I can honestly say works. I have had four flare-ups in a year. Only one time did it not take it away within a few hours. And that is because I didn't catch it soon enough. It does work better when you use it as soon as you feel a cold sore coming on. I highly recommend this pill if you can get it. Use the coupon."

• Emm...
• February 26, 2016

"Skip the Abreva and ask your doctor to prescribe a bottle of this stuff instead. It's the only thing that really works. I rarely get bad cold sores, but I just got hit with a really terrible one. Came on so fast I barely had time to take this pill in time. I've read that acyclovir only works if you haven't blistered yet, which had already happened. It still worked pretty well. It definitely changed how the cold sore is healing. It went straight from 'puffing' up into a blister to scabbing over. It also seems to be reducing the redness and swelling. I'm taking it 3x daily in conjunction with L-Lysine, and occasionally dabbing the cold sore with alcohol to dry it up. Overall, really happy with this medication."

• doc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 14, 2019

Acyclovir "I get cold sores mainly in the summer, my symptoms start off with dry and itchy lips, and then they start to blister and swell. I recommend if you have the same symptoms as me, then put the Zovirax on as SOON AS POSSIBLE! The cold sore feels much better as soon as it’s on, the healing begins straight away, the blister on the mouth begins to dry out, so it may feel uncomfortable. Because of this, I also use Carmex Lip Balm to keep my lips moisturized. I use Zovirax every time I get a cold sore, and they heal much faster, for me it’s a max of 4 days. Amazing product and definitely worth the money!"

• mst...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2015

"I've never struggled with cold sores as much as I did the past week. I started with one, and it went away with Abreva, but then the next morning I woke up with another one. It was so painful, the Abreva didn't work, and any household remedies I tried failed. It got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore. I went to the doctor and got the acyclovir ointment (and I did take the pills as well just because the level of pain I had was horrible and to make sure it wouldn't spread), but the ointment does work very well. I put it on 4-6 times a day, got the ointment, and the pain went away, and it started to scab the next day. I 100% recommend this!"

• E g...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2015

Acyclovir "This medication is kind of cool. A tablet that can stick on your gums? My only complaint is that it takes a LONG time to dissolve-over 12 hours. If you've ever had braces, it's nothing, but just annoying, especially when you try to eat, brush your teeth, or drink water. I'd recommend doing it right before bed if at all possible. Unfortunately, I took it a couple of days after I got a cold sore since it's a prescription and you can't see most doctors immediately. I will say I can tell the healing process happened quicker with this medication. The above comment is false, as several insurance companies will cover the majority of the cost. I paid $35 for two pills... (Not like that's cheap but definitely better than paying $300 or without insurance)."

• Nic...
• July 14, 2016

Acyclovir "I get cold sores about every other month. I went to my dermatologist, and she gave a prescription for Sitavig. It sticks on your gum, which is weird and takes getting used to, but she told me it is supposed to make you have fewer outbreaks. Sure enough, I went 5 months before my next one. When I saw her next, I did complain that it took a long time to dissolve. She said that was part of what made it work so well. Not sure how, but I will never go back to using my Valtrex."

• Bun...
• July 11, 2016

"I've suffered with cold sores since I was about 6 years old. I am now 18, and when I was going through my final year of high school, I had at least 1 cold sore a month because of the stress of things, so I was prescribed acyclovir. I was told to take 2 a day for 3 months and then take a break, and it dramatically improved my cold sores. They barely appeared, but when they did, they were half as big as usual, and they healed within about 4 days. Now I only take acyclovir when I feel a cold sore coming on, and it is honestly the best thing that I have used to help."

• Mxy...
• November 21, 2016

Acyclovir "I am a derm nurse. I used the coupon, got mine free, plus got samples from the office. If you use it at the first sign of a flare, it's great. It is kind of messy, and I had white medicine on my teeth. One pill is better than taking Valtrex for up to five days."

• Gre...
• September 21, 2016

Acyclovir "I have had about four cold sores a year throughout my teens and through my twenties. My dentist had a Sitavig poster in his office and gave me a prescription when I asked about it. I got a cold sore over the 4th of July while at the beach and quickly applied Sitavig. I didn't have any issues with the tablet in my gum and was still able to eat and drink throughout the day. The best part was I didn't get a blister and haven't had one since. The copay for two tablets was $35, which I thought was fair for two treatments."

• Bra...
• February 26, 2016

Acyclovir "I took it to the pharmacy, and I was told it was going to be $400. I called my dermatologist, and they told me to use the rebate card, and it should be $35. I went back to the pharmacy, and sure enough, after I insisted what the cost should be, I got two tablets for $35. I have not had a cold sore in six months, which is unusual because I usually get one every 2 to 3 months."

• Fir...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 23, 2017

"My experience is that I have had cold sores ONLY on my lips from age 6 to 35. I agreed to a 1st date... bam! I felt it. That is the key; take meds once 1st felt. I have no medical knowledge except I know what my body tolerates and what has been successful, which may not be your best bet, but be safe, careful, and consult your doctor before any treatment plan. 1. Break up your pills in half for immediate absorption; take 800 mg every 2 hours to slam your system to alert it there's an issue and send in a 2nd round of 800 within the 1st 4 hours. 2. Continue 800 for 2 days every 4 hours. 3. Apply Abreva or a similar product on the sore at first sensation, while taking the meds, so you are attacking the infection from inside (meds) and externally (cream on sore) for 4 days."

• Tam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 19, 2018

"I use this drug for the occasional cold sore that I get on and/or around my mouth. I live in Mexico and found this drug over the counter. Super sad to hear the cream costs $200!! Here a 5g tube and 50 tabs of 400 mg tablets cost me a whopping $7 USD. I have a few different tubes, so I can have it available if I ever feel a tingle. And since it’s so cheap, if I see even a stranger with a cold sore, I offer it to them. It is a miracle worker for me. If I am fortunate enough to catch it in time to take a pill, it rarely goes to a full blister. And if it does, it is contained to a very slight bump. For me, it also relieves any discomfort."

• Ric...
• January 2, 2017

"I felt a fever blister (cold sore) coming on, so I began 400 mg of acyclovir 3 times a day. After the second day, I experienced a headache that was very uncomfortable. My early cold sore did not progress into an unsightly and painful sore. I am treating the headache with 500 mg Tylenol once a day."

• Sup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2022

"I started getting cold sores about 6 years ago after drinking out of a glass at work (that clearly hadn’t been washed properly). I get cold sores really bad, they are huge and make my lips swell. I have used every type of product on the market, but it would take 3 weeks for them to go, and it would leave a scar. I finally contacted my doctor after being fed up with getting them every few months. The doctor gave me a repeat prescription of Acyclovir to be taken on the onset of a cold sore 5 times a day for 5 days. Within one day, my cold sore starts healing, without that painful bleeding stage. It’s so effective and really helps to reduce the impact on my life it previously had! Would highly recommend to anyone who struggles with large and frequent cold sores!"

• RGa...
• June 16, 2016

"Tried this for CS outbreak. I'll keep it simple and to the point. Pros: - Works a lot better than any OTC (throw that junk out, waste of $) - Cheap... compared to other drugs - Fast acting... even if caught later, will still work - Can stop/reduce symptoms - Convenient vs. any cream - Side effects nothing like Famvir. Cons: - Not as good as Famvir (holy grail to knockout cold sores) - It appears you need to double the dose to really get an effect - Maybe slight headache - You need to take a lot, it's not just 3 pills and done... - No advancement in this drug, and it's been around for how long?? - Did get a second outbreak while taking... but cleared up quick."

• Bus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2019

"Summary - If you get a cold sore, use Valacyclovir and Xerese ASAP and don't stop until it is gone! Details - My nose (area between the two nostrils) started getting red Tuesday morning. I just put Neosporin on it Tuesday night. I woke up Wed realizing it was a cold sore issue. I was out of town and didn't have the cold sore meds with me. I got Valacyclovir filled and immediately started taking 2 pills in the AM and PM. I then got Acyclovir cream filled (as Xerese was not available). I used that cream almost every two hours. It is very good, but not as optimal as Xerese. I kept taking both drugs all day Wed and Thursday, even though for Valacyclovir you can stop after 1 day. I didn't want to chance it. I got home late Thursday from traveling and swapped out Acyclovir for Xerese. Results - AMAZING! All I had was a very tiny scar on Friday afternoon."

• Dan...
• April 17, 2022

"I started taking it for a cold sore. It helped the cold sore, but it also started making me very depressed, it was like it was working against my antidepressant. It was horrible. I didn't know it at the time. I stopped taking it, and I'm starting to feel okay again. I had no idea it could do this."

• Lit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2018

"16 years ago, I was accidentally poked in my eye. The following day, my eye flared up, very inflamed and painful. I was diagnosed with viral keratitis (cold sore virus in the eye). About 5 years later, they finally put me on Zovirax tablets 800mg. I found them great. Didn't take long for it to clear it up while also using Zovirax eye ointment. I have had fewer breakouts over the years compared to the 3 or 4 a year I had been experiencing before I got prescribed this. These tablets were the answer to my prayers as it's extremely painful when I have an outbreak in my eyes. I currently have an outbreak, and my doctor has me on 400mg five times a day, as well as the eye ointment. I've found with this medication, the breakouts are less frequent and the symptoms less severe. Also, this is free for me as it's covered by my medical card, which is great. No side effects. For me, I would highly recommend Zovirax, aka Acyclovir, to anyone wanting to treat an outbreak."

• JDC...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 27, 2021

"Acyclovir is a miracle drug. I developed cold sores that began inside my nose, never knowing what they were. Very painful. Eventually, they spread (after blowing my nose during a cold) underneath the nose, then the top of the lip! The doctor prescribed this, and I take 400 mg 2x a day, it prevents them from forming. Now I start them when I feel that tingling begin under my nose. You must start them ASAP when you feel one coming on. One of the scientists who helped create this drug won a Nobel Prize for it. There was no drug for this before. It’s a true godsend."

• Jen...
• January 19, 2019

Acyclovir "This stuff is amazing! At first, it was difficult to apply to gums (it is a tablet you stick on your gums, and you don't swallow it). It says to use the round side to apply to gums, but I found it easier to use the flat side of the tablet. If you catch it in time, you just get a tiny bump, and it goes down by the next day. I haven't had a bad blister in over a year. I used to get them 3 to 4 times a year. Now, maybe 2. If you don't have insurance, this medication will be expensive, unfortunately."

• Sim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 15, 2020

Acyclovir "I’ve been getting cold sores once or twice a year for the last 5 years. I do not get a small blister that turns my lip slightly red. When one emerges, it is so large and painful that one entire side of my lip is completely swollen. It can be so unsightly and painful for those two weeks that I typically don’t leave the house. I’ve always taken Valtrex as quickly as possible upon feeling symptoms and haven’t found it to be effective. The Sitavig, however, has been a godsend. I applied it upon the first notice of a small blister forming. The blister still appeared but is small enough that you can’t really see it unless you know what you’re looking for. There is no swelling and very, very little discomfort (slight itching). I’m only on day 2 of the sore and already it’s shrunk. Highly recommend for anyone who gets large, painful cold sores."

• Mer...
• December 5, 2016

"Was given this medication for cold sores, which had gone down into my throat thanks to having a weak immune system from lupus. This needs to be tested on viral bronchitis. I had a cold sore starting as the symptoms of viral bronchitis started, so began taking the med yesterday (day 5 of cold) and took my first dose right at 24 hours ago. I'm still very tired and feel a little feverish, but my nose and chest are 90% better. My mom has had this cold/virus for 14 days and is still fighting it. I have lupus, so every cold takes me weeks to overcome. I'm sure the med is helping with my cold."