What pills and drugs can cure cold sores on the lips

Most often, herpes (herpes) occurs on the lips. After getting into a weakened body, the virus remains in it forever, activating in the season of colds and viral infections, as well as in the period of weakened immunity due to internal diseases or immunodeficiency. Pills, gels, balms, ointments and various traditional medicine help get rid of cold sores on the lips.

Treatment of herpetic infection in adults and children

The advisability of taking this or that antiviral agent should be determined by the doctor, since any medication has side effects. Without fail, a doctor’s consultation is needed if the patient is already taking any medications (against flu, depriving, pain, high blood pressure). In this case, only a qualified medical professional will be able to correctly predict the effect of the drug on the body.

Self-medication is especially dangerous in relation to children. On many drugs for herpes on the lips it is written that their intake is indicated for babies from 2 years old, but in fact only a pediatrician can authorize the use of a particular medication. Focusing only on instructions for medicines is dangerous and stupid.

Herpes therapy includes the use of antiviral and immunomodulating drugs. By combining these medications, maximum treatment efficiency is achieved, since even the best antiviral drugs for cold sores on the lips can not cope with the infection without stimulating the immune system.

Scheme of action of antiviral drugs

The mechanism of action of a tablet taken orally consists of several stages:

1. Under the influence of gastric juice, the outer shell of the tablet dissolves.
2. The released active substance enters the bloodstream and spreads to the tissues and cells of the body.
3. The active substance finds a pathogenic focus and blocks the reproductive processes of the herpes virus.
4. Existing infectious bodies are destroyed by immunity cells.

The principle of the action of external preparations against cold sores on the lips is similar to the above, but their active substances enter the bloodstream not through the digestive tract, but through the skin.

None of the modern pharmacological agents can completely defeat the herpes virus. If a patient has once had a herpes infection, the viral particles will remain in his body forever. A person with reduced immunity can detect the manifestation of the virus several times a year, since the tablets used by him do not cure the disease, but only reduce symptoms and shorten the period the pathology is in the active phase.

Acyclovir against cold sores on the lips

Acyclovir perfectly helps in the fight against cold sores on the lips. It is an inexpensive over-the-counter ointment that can be used at different stages of the development of the disease.

Operating principle

The active substance of the drug in the form of ointment and cream is acyclovir.It penetrates the pathogenic cell and breaks the DNA sequence, that is, in the future the herpes virus can no longer multiply, since it is not able to generate its clones without human DNA.

A course of treatment

The standard course of drug therapy is 5-7 days, depending on the complexity of the disease and the level of penetration of the virus into the body. Apply Acyclovir ointment 4-6 times a day.

Benefits

The advantages of Acyclovir include:

• instant blocking of viral replication;
• acceleration of tissue regeneration;
• prevention of the appearance of a rash in the future;
• immunomodulatory effect;
• prevention of the effects of the herpes virus on internal organs;
• analgesic effect.

Acyclovir can be prescribed during pregnancy, but only as a last resort.

Analogs

Acyclovir has no analogues that would be even cheaper. From funds with the same active substance and a similar principle of action, there are:

• Herperax.
• Zovirax.
• Acigerpine.
• Acyc.
• Vivorax.

But they are much more expensive than Acyclovir, although they do not act faster than it and are not considered more effective medicines.

Tablet form

Acyclovir tablets are not as safe as ointment, so a prescription from your doctor may be required to purchase them. The active substance of tablets quickly penetrates the tissues and fluids of the human body, including through the placental and blood-brain barriers, therefore Acyclovir tablets are contraindicated in pregnancy.

When the medicine does not work

Resistance to Acyclovir is not so common. It is observed in immunocompromised patients, that is, in those who:

• acted as a recipient in transplantation of internal organs and bone marrow;
• sick with AIDS;
• takes immunosuppressive medications.

Side effects

Acyclovir has some side effects, the drug can cause:

• headache;
• increased drowsiness;
• a small rash throughout the body;
• hallucinations (in some cases, when the dosage is exceeded).

Treat herpetic infection with Acyclovir extremely carefully. If you experience any unpleasant sensations and atypical symptoms - the appearance of nausea in the morning, tinnitus - you need to see a doctor, after interrupting the course of treatment.

Valacyclovir tablets

Valacyclovir tablets are a new generation of herpes drugs. The active substance of the drug - valaciclovir - is rapidly absorbed, due to which it quickly and rapidly enters the bloodstream. In the body, under the action of hepatic enzymes, valaciclovir is converted to acyclovir and begins to destroy the herpes viruses.

With the development of a primary herpes infection on the lips, Valacyclovir tablets should be taken 2 times a day for 10 days in a row. An increase in the duration of the course of treatment will not lead to better efficacy, but will only cause side effects. With a relapse of the infection on the lips, you need to take a remedy for herpes within 5-6 days.

Valaciclovir should not be taken:

• during pregnancy and lactation;
• children under 12 years old;
• in the presence of an allergy to the active substance;
• HIV-infected with a lymphocyte count of CD 4+ below 100 μl.

Valcicon against herpes infections on the lips

Valcicon is a systemic remedy for cold sores on the lips. The active substance in its composition is acyclovir. This drug should be taken orally before or after a meal once or twice a day, drinking plenty of water with plain warm water.

Side effects from taking Valcicon are rare, usually they are associated with weak human immunity and renal pathologies. The following side effects are sometimes observed:

• dizziness and headache;
• dysarthria;
• cramps
• nausea;
• leukopenia;
• skin rashes;
• temporary visual impairment.

Such adverse conditions are reversible, most often they are caused by exceeding the daily dose of the drug recommended by the doctor.

Valcikon can not be taken:

• with hepatic and renal failure;
• in the presence of an allergy to the active substance;
• in childhood;
• with hypohydration;
• during pregnancy and lactation.

Famvir against herpes

Famvir - the best cure for herpes on the lipsused to treat patients with severe chronic diseases, including immunodeficiencies.

The active substance of the drug is famciclovir. Once in the body, it is rapidly metabolized to penciclovir and inhibits further viral replication. The effectiveness of the drug depends on the general condition of the body, but usually it is noticeable already in the first day of use.

The advantages of Famvir include:

• good clinical activity;
• performance;
• long lasting effect;
• reduction in the possible development of relapses;
• blocking the visceral spread of the virus.

Famvir is taken in case of infection of the body with strains of viruses that are resistant to acyclovir. The active substance of Famvir has selective activity, and therefore does not affect healthy cells.

Cold sore ribavirin

Clinical studies of Ribavirin confirmed its effectiveness only against hepatitis C virus, but some doctors continue to prescribe it for herpetic infections of any localization, and it really helps many patients.

The active substance of the drug is inserted into the genome of the virus instead of purine nucleotides, causing mutations, and blocks RNA polymerase, preventing viral division. A mutated virus becomes vulnerable to the human immune system.

Ribavirin has various side effects, and therefore is contraindicated:

• during pregnancy and lactation;
• children (up to 18 years old);
• when planning pregnancy (the term of the possible teratogenic effect of the drug is more than six months).

Ulcaril against cold sores on the lips

Ulkaril is a direct-acting drug, a synthetic analogue of the nucleosoid thymidine. The active substance of the drug:

• prevents the appearance of a new rash;
• accelerates the formation of crusts;
• reduces the risk of visceral complications;
• possesses high selectivity.

Children can take it from the age of 6 and only after the permission of the pediatrician.

Herpes immunotherapy for lips

Immunostimulants and immunomodulators enhance the action of pills for cold sores on the lips, treatment without them will be ineffective. Immunotherapy is a medication containing interferons and immunoglobulins. The following tablets are most often taken:

• Anaferon.
• Cycloferon.
• Ergoferon.
• Arbidol
• Amixin.
• Sublingual tablets Galavit.

With frequent cold sores on the lips, it is useful to take vitamins and minerals, especially with regard to specialized complexes with a focus on general immunity: Supradin, Vitamishki Immuno. But vitamin complexes must be consumed before infection for the purpose of prevention.

Preparations for the comprehensive treatment of herpes on the lips should be prescribed by a doctor. The seeming simplicity of this infectious disease is deceptive, the ailment can lead to serious consequences, including visceral pathologies.