Abreva Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

Docosanol is used to treat “cold sores/fever blisters” (herpes labialis). It can speed up healing of the sores and decrease symptoms (such as tingling, pain, burning, itching). It works by blocking the virus that causes the cold sores (herpes simplex) from entering the healthy skin cells and growing in number. This medication does not cure herpes and does not prevent passing the infection to someone else. It does not prevent a future occurrence.Do not use this medication to treat canker sores (sores found commonly in the mouth), shingles, or genital herpes.

How to use Abreva Cream

Follow all directions on the product package, or use as directed by your doctor. Use this medication at the first signs of a cold sore (such as tingling, burning, redness, or a bump). Wash and dry your hands before applying the medication. Clean and dry the affected areas. Apply a thin layer of medication to completely cover the area of the cold sore or the area of tingling/itching/redness/swelling and rub in gently, usually 5 times a day every 3-4 hours, or as directed by your doctor. Wash your hands with soap and water after applying. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Apply to skin only. Do not apply this medication in or near the eyes since this medication can irritate the eyes. If you do get medication in your eyes, flush with plenty of water. Do not apply inside the mouth or nose.

Remove any cosmetics from the affected area before applying. You may apply cosmetics after applying but use a separate applicator (such as a disposable cotton swab) on infected areas to prevent spreading the infection. If you accidentally wipe off the medication, reapply as soon as possible.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, type of infection, and response to treatment. Do not use this drug more often or for longer than directed.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. This medication works best when the amount of drug absorbed by the skin stays at a constant level. Use this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.

Cold sores (herpes) can spread easily. Docosanol does not prevent the spread of herpes. Avoid close physical contact with others (such as kissing) during an outbreak until the cold sores have completely healed. Also, try not to touch the cold sore, and wash your hands if you do touch the cold sore.

Stop using this medication and tell your doctor if your cold sores get worse or last for more than 10 days.

Side Effects

Redness or swelling may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US –

In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using docosanol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

Does Abreva Cream interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others. Doing so may spread the infection.

Cold sore outbreaks can be caused by many factors such as stress, hormonal changes (such as pregnancy, menstrual period), injury/surgery on the mouth (such as dental work), tiredness, sunlight, cold weather, or fever/cold/flu.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature. Protect from freezing. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Images

Abreva 10 % topical cream

Color: whiteShape: Imprint:

This medicine is a white, cream

Abreva 10 % topical cream

Color: whiteShape: Imprint:

This medicine is a white, cream

Abreva 10 % topical cream

Color: whiteShape: Imprint:

This medicine is a white, cream

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Drug Survey

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This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Adult Medication

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Abreva [OTC]

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat cold sores.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.

This drug may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs or products on your skin.
• This drug may cause harm if swallowed. If this drug is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
• Do not give this drug to a child younger than 12 years old without first checking with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe irritation where this drug was used.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Do not take this drug by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Use at the first sign of a cold sore.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Put on affected part and rub gently.
• Makeup may be used after the skin has dried.
• Do not rub the cold sore. Rubbing the cold sore may make it worse. It may also cause the cold sore to spread to other areas around the mouth.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Put on a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not put on 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature. Do not freeze.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www. wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2020-08-12

Copyright

© 2023 UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.

Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022

instructions for use, dosages, composition, analogues, side effects / Pillintrip

Page reviewed by pharmacist Fedorchenko Olga Valerievna Last update 2022-04-04

Attention!
The information on this page is for healthcare professionals only!
The information is collected from open sources and may contain significant errors!
Be careful and double-check all the information on this page!

Top 20 medicines with the same ingredients:

Erazaban 10%AbrevaAbreva (Topical)LafrostErasabanMuxanBlistex (Docosanol)ErazabanHealipPriora ErazabanBlistex (ANTIVIRALS)AbraxDocosanolPigenil

Medicine name

The information provided in section Name of the medicinal product Abreva is based on data from another medicine with exactly the same composition as medicine Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to clarify the information in section Name of medication
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

Abreva

Composition of

The information provided in section Composition of Abreva is based on data of another medicine with exactly the same composition as medicine Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to clarify the information in section Composition
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

Docosanol

Formulations

The information provided in section Formulations of Abreva is based on data from another medicine with exactly the same composition as medicine Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to clarify the information in section Forms
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

Cream

Therapeutic indications

The information provided in Therapeutic indications Abreva is based on data from another medicine with exactly the same composition as the Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to clarify the information in section Therapeutic indications
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

Skin infections caused by Herpes simplex type 1 virus (including lip herpes) in immunocompetent patients.

Dosage and Administration

The information provided in section Dosage and Administration Abreva is based on data from another medicine with exactly the same composition as medicine Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to check the information on section Dosage and administration
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

The drug is recommended to be applied in a thin layer to the affected and adjacent areas of the skin for adults and children over 12 years of age 5 times a day (approximately every 3 hours) as soon as possible after the onset of infection.

Average recovery time is 4-6 days.

The cream is applied either with a cotton swab or with clean hands to avoid further infection of the affected areas. The effectiveness of the therapy carried out by this drug depends on the time of the start of therapy: the earlier the therapy is started from the onset of the symptoms of the disease, the higher the efficiency.

When treatment of a recurrent infection is started during the prodromal phase or at the very beginning, Erazaban prevents blistering and crusting.

It is necessary to complete the course of therapy for 5 days in order to achieve the greatest effect from the therapy, even if signs of infection disappear after 1-2 days of treatment. In the absence of healing, treatment can be continued up to 10 days.

Dose adjustment is not required in elderly patients and patients with impaired renal function.

If symptoms persist for more than 10 days, a doctor should be consulted.

Contraindications

The information provided in section Contraindications Abreva is based on data of another medicine with exactly the same composition as Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to check the information on section Contraindications
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

hypersensitivity to docosanol or any other component of the drug;

under 12 years of age (no experience with use).

Precautions: pregnancy and lactation.

Side effects

The information provided in section Side effects Abreva is based on data from another medicine with exactly the same composition as the Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to clarify the information in section Side effects
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

Headache; in the areas of application of the drug – dry skin, itching, rash, short-term redness, soreness, peeling, burning or tingling.

These side effects usually do not require discontinuation of the drug.

There are isolated reports of cases of Quincke’s edema with external use of the drug.

If any of the side effects listed in the description worsen or the patient notices any other side effects not listed in the description, the doctor should be informed.

Overdose

The information provided in section Overdose Abreva is based on data of another medicine with exactly the same composition as the medicine Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to clarify the information in section Overdose
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

No cases of drug overdose have been reported.

Pharmacodynamic profile

The information provided in section Pharmacodynamic profile Abreva is based on data from another medicine with exactly the same composition as the medicine Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to clarify the information in section Pharmacodynamics
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

Docosanol is an antiviral drug.

In vitro studies of have shown that docosanol affects the fusion of the virus with the plasma membrane, which inhibits the entry of the virus into the cell and its subsequent replication. This mechanism of action makes the appearance of strains Herpes simplex , resistant to the antiviral effects of docosanol, and also protects against the penetration of the virus into healthy cells.

In vitro studies of have shown that cells exposed to docosanol are resistant to infection by lipid-enveloped viruses such as Herpes simplex virus type 1. Pharmacokinetics of Abreva information compiled based on data from another drug with exactly the same composition as drug Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to specify the information on section Pharmacokinetics
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

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When used externally, the drug is practically not subject to systemic absorption. Docosanol is intracellularly metabolized to docosanoic acid (the main metabolite). Docosanol and its metabolite are endogenous components of human cell membranes.

When applying the cream on intact (healthy) skin, absorption is minimal, not detected in the blood. When applied to affected skin, absorption is moderate. Excreted by the kidneys.

Pharmacological group

The information provided in section Pharmacological group Abreva is based on data from another medicine with exactly the same composition as medicine Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to clarify the information in section Pharmacological group
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

• Antiviral [Antivirals (excluding HIV)]

Interactions

The information provided in section Interactions Abreva is based on data from another medicine with exactly the same composition as medicine Abreva . Be
carefully and be sure to specify the information on section Interaction
in the instructions for the drug Abreva directly from the package or from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

more…

When used externally, no interaction with other drugs was found.

Sources:

• https://www.drugs.com/mtm/abreva.html
• https://www.rxlist.com/abreva-drug.htm

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Abreva (docosanol cream) side effects, warnings, uses

Abreva

• Generic Name: Docosanol Cream
• Brand Name: Abreva

• Overview
• Professional Information
• Related Resources

Side Effects Center Abreva

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

Abreva (docosanol cream) – This herpes simplex/herpes treatment is used to treat cold sores/fever blisters on the face or lips. This reduces healing time and the duration of symptoms such as tingling, pain, burning and/or itching. Abreva is available both generic and over-the-counter (OTC). Side effects of Abreva are rare and may include:

• itchy skin,
• rash and
• redness at the injection site

Apply enough Abreva cream to cover a cold completely. sick and follow the instructions on the package. Rub gently but completely. Use 5 times a day until cold sores/blisters heal. Abreva may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before using Abreva. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Our Abreva Side Effects Center (docosanol cream) provides a comprehensive overview of available drug information and potential side effects with this medication.