Famciclovir for Cold Sores User Reviews

• Lav...
• September 23, 2017

"The side effect of heart palpitations was really scary. I could describe it to be like a bad ecstasy pill at a rave. I had to pull the car over, get out, and lie on the side of the road, lasting all up one hour. Other than that... cold sore GONE a day later! Was it worth lying in the gutter for? YES!"

• Sal...
• September 15, 2016

Famciclovir "I've gotten cold sores since I was a little kid. I'm now 19, and they're ruining my life. They caused me so much anxiety until I got prescribed this medication. I usually catch the cold sore when it is red and itchy because they often come when I'm asleep. I take the three tablets (costs me around $10, so very affordable), and during the day, the cold sore continues to swell and throb as though the medication hasn't done anything. By the next day, though, I wake up to a dry red patch instead of the usual huge blistering process. This medication means the cold sore lasts maybe 3-4 days but is so much more manageable as it never processes through the disgusting stages. I always have a packet on me."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2008

Famciclovir "I have suffered from embarrassing cold sores for years. My doctor told me about a single-day dose of Famvir (1500 mg). He wrote me a script so that I have it on hand when I feel an outbreak coming. As soon as I feel the outbreak, I initiate the therapy, and the cold sore does nothing more than get a little red for a day or so. No more full-blown outbreaks, this has been wonderful."

• zom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2015

"This is probably the best thing to have happened to me this year (discovering these magic pills). I had my first cold sore about 6 years ago and had been getting them 3-4 times a year, and then it gradually went down to 1-2 a year. I would normally let it run its course (usually 2 weeks), which was not only embarrassing but painful, and treat it with over-the-counter gels and home remedies. My most recent one came back all over my top and bottom lip, so I got prescribed 1500 mg, took them the 3rd day (by this day the bumps had already risen up and were visible), packed on some Abreva, and by morning the bumps were almost gone. My bottom lip cleared out and all that was left on top was redness. I can't stress enough how good these are."

• Mik...
• March 16, 2015

"Outbreak commenced on Sunday. I took the 1500 mg dose as soon as I suspected it was a cold sore. The outbreak progressed, and on Monday I could feel/see the bumps, redness, and the itching was getting much worse. Today (Tuesday) the bumps are nearly gone and the redness is abating, with no abnormal sensations. Wonderful to have this product after 30 years of living with cold sores that last for 14 days from start to finish."

• Pis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 28, 2015

"This drug, along with its predecessor, acyclovir, is a godsend. If you ever suffered breakouts, you know how embarrassing it is to go about your day with a cold sore. If you have to spend the workday talking to people, it's even worse. My breakouts were usually a week long, with the residual scar visible for another few weeks. I take famciclovir at the earliest opportunity. Caught early, I'm even able to stop a full breakout, and only redness remains left to be healed. This drug works so well, I am puzzled by the 'remedies' peddled on TV, the internet, and health food stores (Abreva, Bactine, essential oils, lip balms, etc.). Famciclovir/acyclovir is the only thing that has worked for me."

• All...
• July 4, 2014

"I was impressed! My cold sore had gotten to the 2nd day when it was blistering and weeping - took 1500 mg as a single dose, and within the same 24-hour period, the cold sore had stopped blistering completely, dried up, and formed a healthy scab. After 48 hours, the scab had fallen off and new skin was underneath. Impressed. Next time I'm using this wonderful medication when I get the 'tingle.' I'm usually not impressed by medications, but this particular medicine works a treat for cold sores, and it's available over the counter."

• RD3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2014

"Usually, cold sores last well over a week for me, getting quite large and unsightly. But famciclovir tablets absolutely crush them. Last no longer than 3-4 days, depending on how quick I identify the cold sore coming and take the tablets. Healing and turnaround time is awesome, the best product I have ever used for cold sores! Always keep them on hand now."

• Hap...
• July 16, 2013

Famciclovir "Went to the dermatologist 3 days after the first sign, was only using Abreva with no results. He suggested 1500 mg Famvir now and gave me 3 more to take at the first sign of an additional outbreak in the future. Within one day, the swelling had gone away and the blister was starting to clear up. I have used other treatments, but nowhere as fast and effective as this product."

• Hay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2019

"Had 2 cold sores on my lip, Dr. and chemist recommended taking Elovax (famciclovir 500 mg) 3 tablet dose. Within 30 minutes of taking it, I started to have severe heart palpitations, severe diarrhea, nausea, and restlessness. After a few hours, I started to get a headache, within 5 hours, my headache had become unbearable and I was rushed to the hospital. Placed on 2 drips and monitored for a few hours. Over the next few days, I am still unwell with stomach pains and a headache. My cold sores did improve BUT NEVER, NEVER AGAIN... DID I MENTION NEVER AGAIN... My experience was awful. I would not recommend taking this medication and wish I hadn't."

• Eq2...
• January 28, 2015

"I get at least three cold sores a year, usually around wintertime. Now I get the pills prescribed by my doctor and have extra on hand to take when I first see signs of cold sores. I never catch it at the tingling stage, so I can only review what it does after taking it when blisters are already formed. My symptoms would last 10-14 days without this med. It goes swollen and painful and gross too. But with this med, I only get a red patch for 3-4 days, and then it's gone. It's amazing!"

• red...
• February 9, 2015

"I rarely get a cold sore (normally once every two or three years), but when I do, they are mostly quite large and last for at least a week. So when one popped up in the morning and had already started to blister, I went to the chemist straight away. He suggested I try this (1500 mg, one dose). Wow, did it work, cut the time in half and scabbed a lot quicker. I continued using cream as well. Only downside was on the day of medication I felt quite drowsy and had a mild, nagging headache until the next morning. But so worth it. I will be taking this every time from now on!"

• Suf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2016

"I have had cold sores since I can remember. They've always been hugely traumatic for me and really mess with my self-esteem, not to mention everyone on here would know they aren't pleasant physically! I've always tried lysine, which seemed to help, but now that I've discovered famciclovir, I realize they were doing nothing. I've taken the three tablets on three occasions now, where they prevented a cold sore from coming out altogether! There have been two occasions where I took the tablets when I felt a blister, and the blister got bigger, however, the very next day seems to be nearly gone. Basically, if the cold sore is too powerful or you're too late to take the medicine, it still reduces the healing time from 2 weeks to 4 days! Amazing drug."

• wil...
• August 11, 2010

Famciclovir "Had cold sores since I was in primary school and am now 18. Take a dosage of 1500 mg of Famvir in one dose. Works great for me and stops the virus, leaving only a red mark for about 3 days. Side effects: tiredness, nothing serious though."

• Jos...
• January 30, 2014

"As a baby, I cut open my lips on a road in Africa. Ever since then, I have suffered with cold sores year to year, about 3 to four each year. I tried every cream on the market. One day, my doctor gave me a script to buy Famvir, and wow. The tingle sting went away in less than 24 hours. And after a couple of days, the cold sores were healing and almost gone. This works so much better than the creams! Because if you are not careful, you can infect other areas of your mouth with your fingers as you apply the cream. When fighting a cold sore, get heaps of sleep, spoil yourself with sleep. So happy that now in Australia, I can buy this product over the counter and don't have to visit my doctor every time."

• col...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2016

"I always have a packet of this on me. ALWAYS. In the handbag, in the bedside drawer... it doesn't matter. I feel panicky when I don't have a packet on me somewhere. Many times, I've thought I've felt the tingle or seen a tiny little bump, and I've taken the 3 x pills STRAIGHT AWAY, and no cold sore has ever appeared. There was one instance when my lip got burnt from too much sun/wind exposure, and my lip swelled up, and I had the MOTHER of all cold sores - unfortunately, these nifty pills didn't stop that but definitely cut healing time back to roughly 4 days (instead of 10!). Zinc, lysine, and yogurt are also very good to take when treating an outbreak. Good luck!"

• Kan...
• November 28, 2019

"It's a Christmas miracle. I have had cold sores since about 5 years ago - on and off with about a 2 or 3-year gap in between. This time around, I didn't even get the tingle, which, of course, came as a shock to me that after the end of an extremely tiring day, I looked in the mirror and there she was - in all her disgusting glory AND right in time for my Christmas party in 3 days. I raced straight to the chemist for an over-the-counter dose of famciclovir. Being my first time using it, I also grabbed some Compeed pads (which I used for 2 and a half days) as I have found them very useful for hiding the sore. I had no side effects at all from taking the dose and lo and behold, 2 days later my sore is COMPLETELY gone. No blistering, no scarring, no disgusting fluids, no cold sore. This is the stuff of miracles, and I would assume that if I did have the tingle, the tiny sore wouldn't have even shown in the first place. I can't recommend this enough - life changer."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2020

"First time I took it, I got an intense headache, but I figured it was worth it to prevent a cold sore. But the second time, I had horrible heart palpitations. I felt dizzy and weak, and it was so unpleasant I will never take it again."

• EM1...
• June 25, 2015

"A friend told me about these tablets the last time I was suffering from a cold sore. At the time, it was already too late to take the meds because it was in full force, so I kept the idea in mind for next time. Last Tuesday, early morning, I felt the cold sore coming out, went to the chemist as soon as it opened, and took the 3 tablets (1500 mg). By Thursday, it was already crusting up, and by Saturday (I had a wedding to attend), I could cover it up with makeup pretty well. I cannot believe how quick this medication works, it saved me a whole week of suffering unnecessarily, not to mention saved me from the embarrassment at my friend's wedding. Now I have a spare packet at home, this will change my life!"

• Wil...
• July 27, 2020

"Had cold sores for years. Offered famciclovir 3 tablet dose in hospital last year. It was amazing. Then blood pressure high & was put on 2 BP tablets, investigated adrenals, as I had op ahead, BP must be under control. Since, I've had cold sores x 4, had famciclovir & great results. This time, I had it Mon, felt okay til 4 days later felt weird in head, nausea, was sure BP was up. Home BP test almost 200/98. Had BP tablet (taken off 3 mth before cause improved), drank water every 15 mins. Was red in face, felt dizzy & extreme pressure in head. Had 2nd BP tablet & aspirin. BP 207/107 after midnight. Cried to God for mercy. I slept. Took it easy next 2 days. BP 2nd day, 173/83. Wondered if connection with famciclovir. Googled, found others with similar reactions. Will not be taking again! Will use colloidal silver I had great results. Why increase in blood pressure not listed in side effects."

• Mor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2018

"Went to the chemist and purchased the tablets within 10 mins of feeling the symptoms, took them within 15 mins - I was really happy I could get onto it straight away. But through the night, I felt my lip start to swell and my skin become sensitive on my neck, face, and scalp like it usually does. I started using the patches on my lip the next day, hoping to slow it down, but nothing has worked - back to Zovirax now, hoping this huge monster will disappear sooner rather than later! I thought the tablets were going to be my savior. I am wondering if I should've applied the cream at the same time I took the tablets?"

• DIC...
• February 14, 2016

"Cold sore sufferer since childhood (now 43). Get a cold sore occasionally now (i.e., every couple of months). PROS: If you take the tablet when you feel a tingle/itch - have found it stopped the outbreak (used twice and it did work) - at least I think it must have (can't be sure, I suppose). CONS: Don't always experience a tingle/itch (i.e., asleep/sick) and the cold sore breaks out - then it's too late to take (have tried twice but it did not work; in fact, I only had one cold sore on the top of my lip and took the meds, but then another broke out the next day in the corner of my mouth). A serious sufferer may not get the required results. Expensive (you get 3 tabs for $30 - $40 in Australia over the counter at the chemist). You MUST have these meds on hand, i.e., in the bedside drawer/handbag."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2017

"OMG! I am a 55-year-old lady who has suffered cold sores all my life. I have regular outbreaks over the past few months, each lasting up to 2 weeks. Broke out Sunday afternoon, pharmacy Monday morning. Within 2-3 hours, the redness, tingling, and pain had settled. By the afternoon, the blister had started to dry up and was not so angry looking. I have never used this before, and I am 'blown away' by how quickly this worked after one dose. Brilliant."

• Man...
• August 21, 2019

Famciclovir "If I get a cold sore, it means that 10 days later I break out all over my body with blisters. The condition is called Erythema Multiforme. It's extremely painful, and serious episodes can mean a trip to the burn unit, since each blister is very similar to a burn. Think of a match that burns you beneath the skin. I was diagnosed in 2004 and given large doses of Valtrex and/or Acyclovir to prevent cold sores. Unfortunately, I found these medicines almost worthless. I actually found high SPF lip balm to be more effective at preventing cold sores than these drugs. So in 2012, I gave up on any solution. I googled my condition for the first time in 3 years and learned Famvir cured 3 people with recurring Herpes-Induced Erythema Multiforme. I just got meds today, but feel like I'm already rapidly improving. The jury is still out, but if you tried Abreva, Prednisone, Valtrex, or Acyclovir to treat or prevent cold sores and they failed you, it may be wise to give Famvir a try."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 20, 2019

"I have used famciclovir repeatedly for cold sores. I have had no side effects, and they have stopped my cold sores every time. I am normally quite sensitive to a lot of drugs, so I was pleasantly surprised. I am very susceptible to the cold sores spreading to my nose and eyes (herpes simplex), and I am terrified that this will happen, so I always keep a packet at home and at work. I cannot recommend this highly enough."