Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus type one. Unfortunately, this virus can't be permanently eliminated from the body. It stays dormant in the skin and causes recurrences of cold sores every once in a while.

There is however a big number of medicines for cold sores. These medicines act by decreasing the time it takes for the cold sores to heal. They also reduce other symptoms like pain and the size of the lesion. And if taken soon enough, they can even prevent the lesions from occurring.

Here are the 6 most widely used medicines for cold sores:

1- The first medicine for cold sores is Abreva (Docosanol) which is a non-prescription drug for cold sores that is approved by the US. FDA (US food and drug administration). It is a cream that is used mainly for cold sores on the face, the chin and the lips. It can't be used for a cold sore inside the mouth. you can buy it from amazon.

2- The other medicine for treating cold sores is Acyclovir 5% cream (Zovirax). Is also approved by the FDA. Studies have shown that The use of Zovirax can reduce the duration of cold sores by about half a day. Using oral acyclovir in low doses can shortened the duration by about one day without affecting pain. Whereas using a higher dose and starting during the prodrome (the phase of tingling that precedes the forming of the blisters) can have an effect both on pain and duration.

3- One of the of the most widely used medications for cold sores is Penciclovir 1% cream (Denavir). It should be applied every two hours to the blisters for four days. It has been proven that by starting treatment within one hour of an outbreak can reduce the time of healing by two days and reduce the symptoms. This medication is also approved by the FDA.

4- It is also possible to treat cold sores using a natural medicine like Dermisil. This natural cure for cold sores acts by speeding up the healing. The dermisil solution includes also Lysine which prevents the duplication of the herpes simplex virus and thus helps cure the blisters. Click here to learn more about dermisil for cold sores.

5- Famiclovir (Famvir) is also an FDA approved medicine for cold sores. It has been clinically proven that taking taking Famvir 1500mg once can shorten the infection by 2 days.

6- The last medicine is Valacyclovir (Valtrex). Taking valtrex 2 mg twice a day at the first signs of an outbreak can shorten the duration by about a day. This medicine is also FDA approved.