Acyclovir balm or cream helps in the treatment of cold sores (fever blisters which are caused by a virus known as herpes simplex) on the lips or face. Acyclovir belongs to a category of antiviral drugs known as synthetic nucleoside analogues. It also stops the proliferation of the herpes virus within the body.

American Integrative Pharmacy (AIP), led by the committed Dr. Neema Yazdanpanah, provides safe and proven compounding treatments to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide.

Drug Usage

Topical acyclovir is available as a balm, ointment and cream for application to the sensitive skin areas such as lips. Acyclovir cream is typically applied 5 times daily for 4 days. The patient may apply this cream at any time in the course of a cold sore outbreak.

However, it is most effective when applied right at the onset of a cold sore outbreak when the patient is experiencing redness, itching, tingling, or a bump, yet the cold sore has not yet developed.

Acyclovir ointment is typically applied 6 times daily (mostly three hours apart) for one week. This medication is most effective when used as soon as possible after the patient experiences the initial symptoms of the infection.

The symptoms should improve while undergoing the treatment with topical acyclovir. However, if the symptoms persist or become worse, the patient should talk to their doctor. Acyclovir cream and ointment are only meant for use on the skin. The patient should not let it get into their eyes, inside their mouth or nose, or swallow the med.

The patient should apply acyclovir cream only to skin where a cold sore has developed or is likely to develop. This medication should not be applied to healthy skin or genital herpes sores. The patient should not use other skin medications or products such as sunscreen and cosmetics to the site of the cold sore while using acyclovir cream unless their doctor recommends doing so.

Precautions

The patient should follow the below-mentioned steps while using acyclovir cream:

• Wash their hands properly.
• Clean and dry the skin area where they will be using the cream.
• Cover the skin where the cold sore has developed or is likely to develop with a layer of the cream.
• Rub the cream into the skin until it is not visible.
• Let the skin area where the medication has been applied remain uncovered. The patient should not apply a bandage or dressing unless their physician tells them that they should.
• The patient should avoid any irritation of the cold sore site while using acyclovir cream.

Prior to using topical acyclovir, the patient should:

• inform their physician and pharmacist if they are allergic to acyclovir, valacyclovir (Valtrex), any other drug, or any of the components in acyclovir cream or ointment.
• inform their physician doctor and pharmacist about other prescription and nonprescription meds, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal products that they take or intend to take.
• inform their physician if they currently have or have ever had any condition that impacts their immune system.

American Integrative Pharmacy receives patients from Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and from one coast to the other and in every state in the union for a wide range of compounding treatments.

For more information on compound pharmacy medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.

American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.