Antiviral Cream: Uses and Instructions

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When should you use antiviral creams & ointments?

Antiviral creams or ointments such as aciclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir can be used in the first few days of a cold sore outbreak, when you first notice a tingling sensation or a raised sore or blister. These are available without prescription from pharmacies and some other shops and supermarkets.

What is an antiviral drug?

A doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to help treat a viral infection, and people can use antiviral products to prevent the growth and spread of viruses. Any substance that slows the replication of viruses is an antiviral. Viruses are microscopic organisms that can infect animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria.

What are topical antivirals?

Topical antiviral agents are applied locally to treat viral infections. Different antiviral agents have different mechanisms of action but they all inhibit production of viruses that cause disease. Topical agents are used to treat viral conditions such as cold sores (facial herpes simplex ).

How do topical antivirals work?

Topical antivirals work by inhibiting the growth of the virus (prevents the virus from multiplying). Although they will not cure the viral infection (as they cannot kill the virus), but they may help reduce the pain and discomfort caused by the sores and can help speed up the healing process.

What are antiviral drugs?

Antivirals are medications that help your body fight off certain viruses that can cause disease. Antiviral drugs are also preventive. They can protect you from getting viral infections or spreading a virus to others. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.

What Is Antiviral Cream

1. https://patient.info/medicine/aciclovir-cream-lipsore-virasorb-zovirax
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/21531-antivirals
3. https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/topical-antivirals.html
4. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5231-432/acyclovir-topical/acyclovir-cream-topical/details
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/antiviral
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525789/
7. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cold-sores

Antiviral Cream Information

1. https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/8506/Zovirax-Cold-Sore-Cream-Tube-2g
2. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a606001.html
3. https://www.rxlist.com/how_do_topical_antivirals_work/drug-class.htm
4. https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/acivir-cold-sore-cream