Famciclovir for Cold Sores User Reviews (Page 2)

• Par...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2018

"I'm 55, suffered with cold sores, almost always at that time of the month, they would take weeks to heal. I moved to SC, and it got so bad doctors always thought it was shingles, and by the time one was clearing, the next would start, as it would be a monthly thing with the southern sun. Well, they prescribed this as a deterrent and Zovirax cream. Both were great, I didn't like taking it daily. I had some mild side effects, so I switched to the 1500 mg at first sign, and OMG, it changed my life. Well, the other changed my life also since it worked, and I quit getting them but once or twice a year. Now I take 3 pills at first sign and almost never actually have a cold sore break out. If I miss it before the blister, it still shortens the duration, especially in combo with the Zovirax cream. I'm always totally cleared in less than a week now, not 3 weeks."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2019

"I used to get cold sores often. Then discovered an over-the-counter cream that helped at first, but after several uses, I stopped feeling tingling before the cold sore would appear, and then it was too late for the cream. Used Acyclovir for several years, but not feeling tingling still often took it too late to avoid the breakout. Switched to oral Famciclovir (1500 mg x1), and it worked like a miracle for about 2 years. The last time, by the time I got my prescription from the pharmacy, it was too late to really work and it did not. Today I applied it at the very first feeling of it coming, and to no effect. Half a day later, I still got my cold sore."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2018

"I am 30 years old and have been getting cold sores since I was a baby. I would have breakouts quite often, and sometimes so awful where I would have three or four at a time. I never heard of Famvir until recently, and it has honestly been a lifesaver. I can't believe I have gone so long without it in my life. I took it for the first time when I had three huge cold sores, and within one day of taking it, they had reduced in size, swelling, and were not painful anymore-they cleared up a lot quicker and easier than usual. I now take it at the first sign of a cold sore, and occasionally one has already started to develop, and within a couple of hours either it never develops or is dried up and barely noticeable and heals quickly. It is honestly a lifesaver! I always have a pack on hand just in case now."

• zag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2018

"It actually works if taken in the first couple of hours after the first symptoms are felt. Goodbye to cold sores for me, woohoo! I actually cannot believe there is medicine that can stop cold sores from coming up."

• Fur...
• November 16, 2013

"I have experienced 1 cold sore every two years, this year I've had 1 already due to a lip burn. Just recently, I had another burn to the lip from food. I went to the chemist to see what was available for fast-acting treatment (I normally use Zovirax ointment, which is fabulous), but I thought there may be something else. I was recommended famciclovir. The second day after the 3-tablet dose, I had extreme gas pain in my abdomen. It was the only thing I feel could have caused it. I took the dose on the first day I noticed the cold sore, it's now day 3, and it's simply a dry red patch. Amazing medication, of course, I was using Zovirax too. But I recommend it!"

• mis...
• October 6, 2011

Famciclovir "I've started medication June 24, 2011, of two 500 mg tabs a day, and I still have had 6 outbreaks in less than four months. Yes, healing time is faster, but I would like to have fewer outbreaks, like 1 to none a year."

• Syd...
• May 4, 2019

"I just wanted to comment about the 3 tablets for cold sores. (Elovax one dose) I took the meds on Friday night, and now it's Sunday. I have had a throbbing headache and nausea all weekend. I am too unwell to go out. In the past, I did not receive these side effects. My cold sore tingle has passed, but I'm not sure that these side effects are truly worth it. I'm going to look for natural treatment going forward."

• ELO...
• November 9, 2021

"Took Elovax (famciclovir) one dose. 3 tabs to be taken all at once. I took them for the beginnings of a cold sore that was just starting on my lip. Half an hour after I took them, I had the worst heart palpitations I have ever had. It actually frightened me as my heart rate was incredibly fast. It took a while for it to slow back down. I feel okay now but don't think I will be taking that again."

• She...
• June 14, 2020

"I woke up with a cold sore on the corner of my lips. Went to the chemist and they gave me this one dose, 3 tablets. I took it at 1 PM. 30 minutes later, my heart started racing and I felt awful. I drank a big glass of water, which helped a little. 2 hours later, I developed a headache. By night, I felt better but still have heart pounding from time to time. I suffer from irregular heartbeat myself, and to experience this on top wasn’t nice. I don’t think I will take this ever again and will use cold sore cream instead next time."

• Ove...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2023

"Wow. This product has transformed my life. I am 57 years old and have suffered from huge cold sores since early school years. These were so big that in my early 20s I was approached on the street by police officers and social workers making well-being inquiries. I guess it is good news when people ask. But the physical pain and the social pain linked to the cold sore outbreaks were intense. As a professional presenter and speaker, large cold sores have been an embarrassing burden for most of my career. And now this product has turned everything around. Not only am I grateful for my own benefit, but I can also envision a future where young people no longer need to suffer the awful impact of cold sores. Tablets work brilliantly for me. Even when I take them after blisters have appeared, those huge and unsightly sores no longer appear. Thank you to everyone who developed this product."

• Res...
• June 27, 2019

"Last time I took famciclovir, it was called Famvir, prescribed by my doctor to be taken 1 tablet 3 times a day, side effects nil. Outcome positive. Yesterday, the first sign of a cold sore, I went to my doctor to get another script for Famvir. My doctor said that I don’t need a script anymore, it’s over the counter. The name has changed to famciclovir. My pharmacist said to take all 3 tablets at once, which I did. This time, I felt a little lightheaded plus very sleepy, which lasted a couple of hours. Apart from that, the outcome was positive."

• R_S...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2017

"Itching started Wednesday around midday, however, I mistakenly thought it was due to a pimple I had popped. That evening, the itching got worse and the area (corner of my mouth, bottom lip) started getting red - I knew it was a cold sore. I took the 3 tablets before bed and was afraid it may have been too late. Thursday, I woke up with a slight headache, assumed it was the drugs fighting the outbreak. Friday and Saturday, you could see a small blister, a little red, but it wasn't getting much bigger. By Sunday afternoon, it was disappearing and today (Monday morning) it's almost gone. Relief! Next time, I won't hesitate and will take it as soon as I feel the itch! Had I not taken them, I assume I'd have developed an ugly cold sore that would've lasted till next weekend."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2018

"I woke to the familiar tingle on my lip and stuck a Compeed plaster on immediately. A couple of hours later, when the pharmacy opened, I bought famciclovir. The cold sore is much less severe than usual, which would take over half my face, prevent me from drinking, eating, and being so self-conscious for a whole 2 weeks. This combo of the Compeed patch and famciclovir is amazing and lessened the severity of the cold sores by A LOT!!"

• Yel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2017

"Didn't do anything at all. Used it basically at the first sign of tingling, in combination with Zovirax. Both useless, ended up with a massive lesion on my lip that is still growing. Not sure why it's worked for other people and not me! Worst $30 spent. My home remedy of burning the beginning of the sore with methylated spirit and peroxide did a much better job for me in the past."

• Lib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2024

"I took the medication in the correct dosage as prescribed within 12 hours of my first symptoms (just below my mouth). I was disappointed with the results in so much as the medication did seem to retard the progress of a developing lesion, but it did still progress and increase in size. Now, 4 days later, I have a small crusty wound with some associated discomfort. Not sure why it’s much more effective with some people."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2023

"Woke up with the 'tingle.' I took 1000 mg right away. Within hours, the tingle had subsided. I took another 500 mg about 8 hours later. So far, it has not gotten to the 'full-blown' stage. I just have redness and slight swelling. My lymph nodes have not yet started to swell, and the tingling and burning sensation are only at 5% of what I normally have. I have slight nausea but nothing I can't deal with. So far, I'm very pleased with the effectiveness and grateful I had it on hand."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 10, 2023

"Now that these are available without a prescription, as long as I take Famciclovir at the tingle stage, then I don't usually get any blistering. Amazing tablets. I have never experienced any side effects."

• Luk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2022

"100% recommend if you suffer from cold sores. I've suffered from them since my early teens (now 31), and boy, I wish I had these when I was younger, it would have saved myself so many bad photos at school and embarrassment in public. Only downsides for me were that I had a headache that day, but anyone that suffers from cold sores would take that any day over ugly 1-2 week cold sores. Basically, it skips the entire blistering, itchy, ugly phase, and by the next day after taking the med, it skips straight to the healing phase. Heals quicker too. It makes sure it doesn't spread, basically stops the cold sore in its tracks, and you'll 100% notice the difference the day after taking it. I recommend keeping one in the house so when you feel the tingle, you can take it straight away. If you take this med on the first day, I recommend to also ice the cold sore on day 1, and on day 2, you'll be really happy with the total results. Not that you need ice, but for me, it works really well in combo with this med."

• For...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2024

"I used famciclovir at the first sign of a cold sore, it was great in preventing the cold sore from progressing, and 24 hours after taking the medication the cold sore was small and dry. However, the medication made me so sick. It gave me one of the worst headaches I have ever experienced, which lasted 2 days. I was vomiting, lightheaded, and extremely tired. Effectiveness was great. Side effects were horrible."

• Uks...
• August 11, 2017

"Fabulous. Suffered cold sores all my life from that first kiss, unbeknown. I spoke with my GP about it, she even suffered them too. We did not know they existed, I guess the boys didn't either. In my 54 years, this is the first year I can say that I have a drug that actually works. I also carry an aciclovir tube of cream with me everywhere, normally, I put it on at night. Maybe I get immune to it, but anyways, last night I didn't use it, and this morning one big cold sore had appeared. Just taken the dose of famciclovir once, 3 tablets, one dose. I know it'll be fine now too. I used it before in my travels in Oz, where I bought it originally, costing about £25, maybe expensive, but so, so worth it."

• Fus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 15, 2021

"As good as others mention. I have had them most of my life (thanks, Mum!) and am old enough to recall the only treatment being a menthol-type cream. Woke yesterday with one just starting to emerge and the 3-pill dose stopped it in its tracks. A wonder drug as far as I'm concerned!"

• EE2...
• November 15, 2017

"The most amazing thing! Felt the dreaded tingle Tuesday morning, but was out on the water, so couldn't get to a chemist for about 10 hours. Took the 3-tablet dose at 3 PM. Next morning, woke with it tingling and painful, worrying it was spreading - by 11 AM, the tingle has stopped and it seems to have stopped it from getting to the blister stage! Praying it stays away for the weekend wedding!"

• Adz...
• July 15, 2016

"I have a fluid cold sore on my lip day 2. As I couldn't get any Blistex, I've had to try the pills, praying they work as well as Blistex. People are saying 4 days? I bloody hope not. Don't write you can kill a cold sore overnight with Blistex. Remember to soak the cold sore and wipe the moist cold sore off. It will bleed. Cover and repeat till dead."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2021

"Gave me heart palpitations."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2009

Famciclovir "It worked great for me. 1500 mg in one shot, the swelling was almost gone the same day, and it healed quickly. What a relief! That was 10 days ago."