Aciclovir Cream 5% w/w – 2g
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Overview
Aciclovir Cream 5% w/w is a licensed pharmacy medicine containing aciclovir — an antiviral active ingredient that directly targets the herpes simplex virus (HSV) responsible for cold sores. Unlike the many cosmetic cold sore products that primarily provide symptomatic relief through barrier or soothing agents, aciclovir works by interfering with the virus's ability to replicate, addressing the cause of the outbreak rather than simply managing its visible symptoms.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which remains dormant in nerve tissue after initial infection and reactivates periodically — typically triggered by factors such as illness, stress, sun exposure, hormonal changes, or fatigue. At the point of reactivation, the virus travels to the skin surface, producing the characteristic tingling, blistering, and crusting that constitutes a cold sore outbreak. Aciclovir cream, applied as early as possible at the first sign of tingling or itching before a blister appears, penetrates the skin and inhibits the viral DNA polymerase enzyme that the herpes simplex virus requires to copy itself — slowing viral replication and shortening the duration of the outbreak.
The 2g tube is sized for a single outbreak treatment course. As a Pharmacy (P) medicine, it is available without prescription but should be obtained through Pearl Chemist Group's pharmacy team, who can confirm suitability and provide guidance on correct use as part of our cold sore treatment service.
What It Does
- Targets the herpes simplex virus directly by inhibiting the viral enzyme (DNA polymerase) required for viral replication, slowing the progression of the cold sore outbreak
- Applied at the earliest sign of a cold sore — typically the tingling or itching sensation before a blister appears — aciclovir cream can shorten the duration of the outbreak and reduce its severity
- The 5% w/w concentration is the licensed therapeutic strength for topical treatment of herpes labialis in adults
- As a licensed antiviral medicine rather than a cosmetic product, aciclovir directly addresses the viral cause of cold sores rather than providing surface-level symptomatic relief only
How to Use Aciclovir Cream 5% w/w
Always read the patient information leaflet provided with this product before use. Follow the dosage instructions provided or as directed by your pharmacist.
- Start as early as possible: Apply at the first sign of a cold sore — the tingling, burning, or itching sensation that precedes blister formation. Starting treatment at this prodromal stage produces better outcomes than beginning after a blister has already formed.
- Wash hands: Wash hands thoroughly before and after each application to avoid spreading the virus to other areas or people.
- Apply a thin layer: Apply a thin layer of the cream to the cold sore and the surrounding skin five times daily, approximately every four hours. The standard treatment course is five days. If the cold sore is not healing after this period, consult your pharmacist or GP.
- Avoid contact with eyes: Do not apply near or in the eyes.
- Do not share: Do not share this product with others. Cold sores are highly contagious — the cream tube itself can become a transmission vector if shared.
- Do not apply to mucous membranes: Aciclovir cream for cold sores is for external skin use only. It is not suitable for use inside the mouth, on the genitals, or on other mucous membranes.
If this is your first cold sore, if the sore is near the eye, if symptoms are severe, or if you are immunocompromised, consult your GP before using this product.
Who Is Aciclovir Cream 5% w/w Suitable For?
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Indication | Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over with cold sores (herpes labialis) on the lips and face. Not for use in children under 12 without medical supervision. |
| Not Suitable For | Those with known hypersensitivity to aciclovir, valaciclovir, or any excipient in the formulation. Not for use near or in the eyes. Not for use on genital herpes — a different formulation and medical assessment is required for genital herpes. Not for use on mucous membranes. |
| Seek Medical Advice Before Use | Those who are immunocompromised (including HIV-positive individuals, those receiving chemotherapy, or on long-term immunosuppressant therapy). First-ever cold sore — to confirm the diagnosis before self-treating. Cold sore near or affecting the eye. Severely immunocompromised patients should use systemic rather than topical aciclovir and should consult a doctor. |
| Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | Seek advice from your pharmacist or GP before using during pregnancy or breastfeeding, though topical aciclovir has a limited systemic absorption and is generally considered low risk. Clinical guidance should be sought for individual circumstances. |
Good to Know
- Pharmacy (P) Medicine: Aciclovir Cream 5% is a Pharmacy medicine, available without a prescription but only through a pharmacy. Our pharmacists at Pearl Chemist Group can confirm this product is appropriate for your situation before purchase.
- Early Treatment is Critical: The effectiveness of aciclovir cream is substantially greater when treatment begins at the first sign of tingling — before a visible blister forms. Keeping a tube accessible so it can be applied immediately is more effective than purchasing it after the outbreak has already appeared.
- Cold Sores are Contagious: Herpes simplex virus is highly contagious during an active outbreak. Avoid kissing, sharing utensils, lip products, or face towels during an outbreak. Wash hands thoroughly after touching the affected area.
- Not a Cure: Aciclovir cream treats the active outbreak and can shorten its duration, but does not eliminate the herpes simplex virus from the body. The virus remains dormant in nerve tissue between outbreaks.
- Sun Exposure and Cold Sores: UV exposure is a known trigger for cold sore recurrence. Using an SPF lip balm when outdoors may reduce the frequency of sun-triggered outbreaks.
- If Sores are Frequent: If you experience cold sores more than six times per year, please consult your GP — oral antiviral therapy may be appropriate for suppressive treatment.
- For External Use Only: Keep out of reach of children. Avoid eyes and mucous membranes.
Overview
Aciclovir Cream 5% w/w is a licensed pharmacy medicine containing aciclovir — an antiviral active ingredient that directly targets the herpes simplex virus (HSV) responsible for cold sores. Unlike the many cosmetic cold sore products that primarily provide symptomatic relief through barrier or soothing agents, aciclovir works by interfering with the virus's ability to replicate, addressing the cause of the outbreak rather than simply managing its visible symptoms.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which remains dormant in nerve tissue after initial infection and reactivates periodically — typically triggered by factors such as illness, stress, sun exposure, hormonal changes, or fatigue. At the point of reactivation, the virus travels to the skin surface, producing the characteristic tingling, blistering, and crusting that constitutes a cold sore outbreak. Aciclovir cream, applied as early as possible at the first sign of tingling or itching before a blister appears, penetrates the skin and inhibits the viral DNA polymerase enzyme that the herpes simplex virus requires to copy itself — slowing viral replication and shortening the duration of the outbreak.
The 2g tube is sized for a single outbreak treatment course. As a Pharmacy (P) medicine, it is available without prescription but should be obtained through Pearl Chemist Group's pharmacy team, who can confirm suitability and provide guidance on correct use as part of our cold sore treatment service.
What It Does
- Targets the herpes simplex virus directly by inhibiting the viral enzyme (DNA polymerase) required for viral replication, slowing the progression of the cold sore outbreak
- Applied at the earliest sign of a cold sore — typically the tingling or itching sensation before a blister appears — aciclovir cream can shorten the duration of the outbreak and reduce its severity
- The 5% w/w concentration is the licensed therapeutic strength for topical treatment of herpes labialis in adults
- As a licensed antiviral medicine rather than a cosmetic product, aciclovir directly addresses the viral cause of cold sores rather than providing surface-level symptomatic relief only
How to Use Aciclovir Cream 5% w/w
Always read the patient information leaflet provided with this product before use. Follow the dosage instructions provided or as directed by your pharmacist.
- Start as early as possible: Apply at the first sign of a cold sore — the tingling, burning, or itching sensation that precedes blister formation. Starting treatment at this prodromal stage produces better outcomes than beginning after a blister has already formed.
- Wash hands: Wash hands thoroughly before and after each application to avoid spreading the virus to other areas or people.
- Apply a thin layer: Apply a thin layer of the cream to the cold sore and the surrounding skin five times daily, approximately every four hours. The standard treatment course is five days. If the cold sore is not healing after this period, consult your pharmacist or GP.
- Avoid contact with eyes: Do not apply near or in the eyes.
- Do not share: Do not share this product with others. Cold sores are highly contagious — the cream tube itself can become a transmission vector if shared.
- Do not apply to mucous membranes: Aciclovir cream for cold sores is for external skin use only. It is not suitable for use inside the mouth, on the genitals, or on other mucous membranes.
If this is your first cold sore, if the sore is near the eye, if symptoms are severe, or if you are immunocompromised, consult your GP before using this product.
Who Is Aciclovir Cream 5% w/w Suitable For?
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Indication | Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over with cold sores (herpes labialis) on the lips and face. Not for use in children under 12 without medical supervision. |
| Not Suitable For | Those with known hypersensitivity to aciclovir, valaciclovir, or any excipient in the formulation. Not for use near or in the eyes. Not for use on genital herpes — a different formulation and medical assessment is required for genital herpes. Not for use on mucous membranes. |
| Seek Medical Advice Before Use | Those who are immunocompromised (including HIV-positive individuals, those receiving chemotherapy, or on long-term immunosuppressant therapy). First-ever cold sore — to confirm the diagnosis before self-treating. Cold sore near or affecting the eye. Severely immunocompromised patients should use systemic rather than topical aciclovir and should consult a doctor. |
| Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | Seek advice from your pharmacist or GP before using during pregnancy or breastfeeding, though topical aciclovir has a limited systemic absorption and is generally considered low risk. Clinical guidance should be sought for individual circumstances. |
Good to Know
- Pharmacy (P) Medicine: Aciclovir Cream 5% is a Pharmacy medicine, available without a prescription but only through a pharmacy. Our pharmacists at Pearl Chemist Group can confirm this product is appropriate for your situation before purchase.
- Early Treatment is Critical: The effectiveness of aciclovir cream is substantially greater when treatment begins at the first sign of tingling — before a visible blister forms. Keeping a tube accessible so it can be applied immediately is more effective than purchasing it after the outbreak has already appeared.
- Cold Sores are Contagious: Herpes simplex virus is highly contagious during an active outbreak. Avoid kissing, sharing utensils, lip products, or face towels during an outbreak. Wash hands thoroughly after touching the affected area.
- Not a Cure: Aciclovir cream treats the active outbreak and can shorten its duration, but does not eliminate the herpes simplex virus from the body. The virus remains dormant in nerve tissue between outbreaks.
- Sun Exposure and Cold Sores: UV exposure is a known trigger for cold sore recurrence. Using an SPF lip balm when outdoors may reduce the frequency of sun-triggered outbreaks.
- If Sores are Frequent: If you experience cold sores more than six times per year, please consult your GP — oral antiviral therapy may be appropriate for suppressive treatment.
- For External Use Only: Keep out of reach of children. Avoid eyes and mucous membranes.
FAQs
How is aciclovir cream different from cosmetic cold sore products?
Aciclovir cream is a licensed antiviral medicine — it directly inhibits the replication of the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores. Cosmetic cold sore products (such as barrier creams, soothing balms, or products containing ingredients like zinc or lysine) work by managing symptoms or creating a protective layer over the sore, but do not directly target the virus. Clinical evidence consistently shows that topical aciclovir reduces the duration of cold sore outbreaks compared to placebo, with the greatest benefit seen when treatment begins at the earliest prodromal sign of tingling. For most people experiencing a cold sore, an antiviral such as aciclovir is the more clinically effective choice.
How quickly will aciclovir cream work?
Aciclovir cream does not produce a dramatic overnight change — it works by slowing viral replication rather than instantly resolving the outbreak. When started at the first tingling sign before a blister appears, it can prevent or significantly reduce blister formation and shorten the total duration of the outbreak by one to two days compared to an untreated cold sore. If started after a blister has already formed, it can still help to speed the healing of the existing blister and crust-over phase. The cream must be applied five times daily, every four hours (except during sleep), for the full five-day course to be effective.
Can I use this cream inside my mouth?
No. Aciclovir cream 5% for cold sores is for external skin use only — on the lip surface and surrounding skin. It must not be applied inside the mouth, on the gums, tongue, or other mucous membranes, as it is not formulated for this use. If you have a sore inside the mouth (which is more likely to be an aphthous ulcer — a canker sore — than a herpes cold sore), please consult your pharmacist for appropriate treatment options.
Can I use aciclovir cream on genital herpes?
No. This product is specifically licensed for cold sores on the lips and face (herpes labialis). Genital herpes requires a different clinical approach — medical assessment is important to confirm the diagnosis, and treatment typically involves oral antiviral medication rather than topical cream alone. Please consult your GP if you have or suspect genital herpes.
My cold sore has not cleared after five days of using the cream. What should I do?
If your cold sore has not shown improvement after a five-day course of aciclovir cream, please speak with your pharmacist or GP. Most cold sores resolve within seven to ten days with treatment, though more severe outbreaks or outbreaks in immunocompromised individuals may take longer or require a different approach. Our pharmacists at Pearl Chemist Group can advise on whether further treatment or a GP referral is appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
Can I use this cream to prevent cold sores from developing?
Aciclovir cream is not licensed for prophylactic use in preventing cold sore outbreaks. It is most effective when used at the first sign of an outbreak — the prodromal tingling phase — and is not intended for continuous preventative application. If you experience frequent cold sores (more than six per year) and want to consider suppressive therapy, please speak with your GP about oral antiviral treatment options, which are the appropriate approach for cold sore prevention.