Aciclovir for Cold Sores

What is Aciclovir and how does it treat cold sores?

Aciclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat the herpes simplex virus and other closely related viruses, such as chicken pox or shingles. It helps stop the spread of the herpes virus in the body by interrupting the process of virus replication which reduces the duration of the infection. It is not a cure for these infections, as the virus continues to live in the body even after an outbreak but Aciclovir reduces the severity and length of the outbreak. Instead of an infecrtion lasting 10 days it can often cut the time in half and reducing the pain endured.

Aciclovir is an oral medicine which should be swallowed with or without water. You should only take aciclovir at the prescribed dose.

The treatment is most effective when you use it at the first signs of outbreak. You should remain well hydrated while you are taking aciclovir.

How fast and well Aciclovir will work will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how soon you notice the symptoms before starting the treatment. As soon as you start to notice the symptoms, it is best to start taking Aciclovir. You should consult your doctor as soon as you spot an outbreak.

As with all medicines, aciclovir should only be taken after carefully weighing the potential positives and negatives in conjunction with a qualified healthcare professional. Aciclovir is known to cause side effects.

Common sides effects (occurring in one or more people out of one hundred):

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pains
• Pruritis
• Rashes (including increased photosensitivity)
• Fatigue
• Fever

Find out more on the patient information leaflet