There are a limited number of antiviral drugs available suitoable for cold sore medication. The first antiviral medication developed to treat herpes was Acyclovir and it remains one of the most commonly prescribed antiviral agents.

The major drugs developed to work against herpes simplex virus (HSV) and used for  cold sore treatments are antiviral agents called nucleotide analogues, which block viral reproduction. They include acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), famciclovir (Famvir).

The antiviral medications available in pill form have been specifically developed for the treatment of genital herpes. Antiviral medications may significantly lessen the severity of a primary outbreak and reduce the time it takes genital herpes outbreaks to heal. The medication also decreases the number of days of painful symptoms and for some people, the number of days you can spread the virus.
 cold sore medication
Antiviral cold sore medication is most effective if it is taken when you first notice the prodromal symptoms (tingling and pain) of a recurrent genital herpes outbreak and if they are taken for the next 5 to 7 days or until symptoms go away. Some people with frequent recurrent outbreaks (more than 6 recurrences a year) take antiviral medication every day (suppressive therapy) to help reduce the frequency and duration of recurrent outbreaks.

Mechanism of action
Antiviral cold sore medicine agents reduce viral replication by inhibiting viral DNA synthesis, needed to reproduce itself. This helps to keep the virus inactive.

Approved indications and uses

Acyclovir is indicated for:

  • treatment of initial episodes and the management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes
  • treatment of acute herpes zoster (shingles)
  • treatment of chickenpox (varicella)

Valacyclovir is indicated for:

  • treatment or suppression of genital herpes and for the suppression of recurrent genital herpes
  • reduction of transmission of genital herpes
  • treatment of herpes zoster
  • treating a cold sore (herpes labialis)

Famciclovir is indicated for:

  • treatment or suppression of recurrent genital herpes
  • treatment of acute herpes zoster

Efficacy
Clinical studies have not found any significant differences in effectiveness among the three medications. All are quite safe, very rarely producing any side effects at all. For the treatment of first genital herpes infections, oral acyclovir or valacyclovir is preferable to famciclovir. The efficacy of famciclovir for initial episode genital herpes infection has not been established.

Intravenous acyclovir is used to treat serious flare-ups or outbreaks that effect internal organs.

Side effects
All these agents are well tolerated and have excellent safety records. Possible side effects from oral agents include nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, tremor, and very rarely, seizures. They can effect the kidney, however, and people with kidney problems should use them with caution and at lower doses. Intravenous administration increases the risk for kidney problems and can cause blood clots at the injection site. In rare cases, it can cause central nervous system complications.

Pharmacological properties
Acyclovir has poor bioavailability of about 20% and a short half-life, which requires frequent dosing. Acyclovir speeds healing of lesions and suppress viral shedding if taken within 24 hours of the first indication of a recurrent episode. Early treatment may even prevent the development of lesions in some people.

Valacyclovir provides a unique mechanism of enhancing the oral bioavailability of the parent compound, acyclovir. Valacyclovir is a prodrug converted to acyclovir in the intestine and liver. It has better bioavailability (about 55%) and has a longer duration of action than acyclovir. Thus, valacyclovir requires less frequent dosing than acyclovir. Valacyclovir is most effective if taken within 24 hours of the first signs of an outbreak.

Famciclovir is a prodrug for the active metabolite penciclovir. Famciclovir is converted into its active compound within the infected cell by contact with an enzyme from the virus. It has high bioavailability of 77%. It remains active in the body longer than acyclovir (half the dose is still active after 10 to 20 hours) and, like valacyclovir, requires less frequent dosing (usually two or three times a day). It is most effective if taken within six hours of onset of symptoms.

Both Famciclovir and valacyclovir have greater oral bioavailability that acyclovir. Famciclovir and valacyclovir, which are better absorbed by the body, can be taken less often than acyclovir. The simpler dosing schedule of famciclovir and valacyclovir, allows patients more convenient dosing regimens with less interruption of their activities of daily living.

Find the Truths that You Have to Recognize About Cold Sores
If you are suffering from cold sores, you don’t need to worry because there is medical treatment for cold sores. Furthermore, FDA has approved two medications for cold sore on market lately.

Cold Sores Medications
Cold sore medications are not needed if proper prevention is taking place. Learn how to cure a cold sore and what exactly will get rid of a cold sore.

Get Rid Of Cold Sores
Most cold sore medications contain ingredients that help do one of the three things mentioned above. When using a cold sore medication, it is essential that you remember how you respond to it will vary from another person’s response.

Top Five Solutions to a Cold Sore
Cold sores vary in severity. A particularly bad case will require a doctor’s assessment. More often than not, a doctor will prescribe anti-viral medication to subdue an infection.

Cold Sores Causes - Risk Factors for Cold sores - Herpes
While the person suffering from cold sores gets relief in few days following medication, the virus does not get eliminated in most of the cases. The result is re-occurrence of cold sores.

Cold Sore Medication - Knowing the One that Work Best
Useful tips, guide, solution and information about cold sore medication, what causes cold sore fef s, the facts, cold sores remedies and treatments.

How to get rid of Cold Sores
How to start getting rid of your cold sores? Viroxyn Cold Sore Treatment Medication. Use Viroxyn medication as directed cold sores fast with the medical treatment below. Natural Remedies.

How to treat a cold sore
Ask your doctor about medication that you can take to suppress outbreaks and stop from passing them on. Take care of the fever. Cold sores and fevers often go hand in hand, particularly in children.

Are Cold Sores Really Herpes?
Herpes is a very common viral infection where there’s much confusion, because not only are there different types of herpes, but oral herpes is also frequently confused with canker sores (also referred to as cold sores), which is an entirely different ..... I have never been on Valtrax, or any other herpes medication.

Seven Cold Sore Treating Secrets
One of the most popular ways of controlling panic attacks is through the use of medication, but if you don’t have health insurance or a means of obtaining.

Cold Sores Medications to Get rid of Cold Sores
The other FDA recommended cold sore medication is viroxyn. It comes with an easy-to-use applicator. You should apply it on the infected area and it works within minutes of its application.

Cold Sore Medication that Works
how to get rid of cold sores fast. cold sore remdies. cold sore medicationAre you looking for some Home remedies for genital herpes? Know effective Home remedies for wrinkles.

By Katie Bennett
Published: 8/22/2008