13.10.3 Antiviral preparations
| Choice | Drug |
|---|
1st choice | No treatment |
| Or |
| Aciclovir cream 5% (encourage OTC purchase) |
| |
Prescribing Notes
- Topical antiviral preparations should not be routinely prescribed for cold sores. They only reduce mean duration of an episode by less than a day, and need to be initiated at the onset of symptoms before vesicles appear
- Topical aciclovir is available over-the-counter and can be used by people who find it helpful
- Systemic treatment is necessary for buccal or vaginal infections and for herpes zoster (shingles)
- Consider oral antiviral treatment for people with persistent, severe or prolonged episodes of recurrent labial herpes simplex infections or those who are immunocompromised
