Abreva is a brand name for 10 percent docosanol cream, approved by the Food and Drug Administration on July 25, 2000 for the treatment of fever blisters, also known as cold sores and oral herpes. Although the Food and Drug Administration has approved four other medications to treat fever blisters, Abreva is the only one that is available without a prescription.
Significance
For best results, the Abreva website recommends that patients start treatment as soon as they suspect they are developing cold sores. Common early symptoms include tingling, itching, burning, soreness and sensitivity. Early signs include redness and swelling. In the June 9, 2008 edition of "Archives of Internal Medicine," Dr. Christina Cernik of Northeastern Ohio University said that all antiviral medications for cold sores, including Abreva, work best when they're started soon after symptoms appear.
Function
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus infects cells by fusing with their outer covering, called membranes, and reprogramming the cells to make more viruses. In the 2008 edition of "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology," Dr. Sharon Safrin, professor of medicine at the University of California-San Francisco, said that docosanol, a 22-carbon fatty alcohol, inhibits viral fusion by a mechanism that is not completely understood.
Use
Abreva comes as white cream that dries clear. Users apply the cream five times each day for 10 days. It is not necessary to wake up during the night to apply Abreva. According to the Abreva website, applying the medication every three to four hours during the day suffices. Missed doses should be made up as soon as the user remembers. The Abreva website recommends rubbing the medication into the fever blister with a cotton swab or fingertip. Those who use fingertips should wash their hands before and after applying Abreva.
Safety
About 10 percent of people who use Abreva report headaches, according to Safrin. A smaller number of people experience skin reactions including acne, burning, itching, dryness, redness, rash and swelling. The Abreva website recommends using over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol to treat headaches. Those who experience severe side effects or side effects that become progressively worse should discontinue use and contact their doctors for advice.
Effectiveness
In the December 2004 edition of "Expert Opinions in Pharmacotherapy," Dr. Daniel T. Leung, a researcher at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolinia, reviewed clinical trials on the effectiveness of Abreva. In one study, Abreva reduced the duration of fever blisters by about 18 hours, compared with untreated patients, according to Dr. Leung. Two other studies revealed no significant differences. The Mayo Clinic says Abreva alleviates fever blister discomfort, regardless of its effects on duration.
References
- "Archives of Internal Medicine": The Treatment of Herpes Simplex Infections; Christina Cernik, M.D., et al.; June 9, 2008
- "Expert Opinions in Pharmacotherapy": Docosanol: A Topical Antiviral for Herpes Labialis; Daniel T. Leung, M.D. et al.; Dec. 2004
- MayoClinic.com: Topical Docosanol
- Abreva.com: Frequently Asked Questions
- "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 11th Edition"; Bertram G. Katzung, M.D., Ph.D. et al.; 2008
