Aciclovir Cream 5%

Buy Aciclovir 5% Cream in the UK

What is Aciclovir 5% Cream?

Aciclovir 5% cream is a commonly used cold sore treatment.  Aciclovir is an antiviral cream that is the generic and unbranded version of the well-known brand Zovirax.  You can buy Aciclovir cream online at Simple Online Pharmacy in a larger sized 10g tube.

Aciclovir is best applied at the ‘tingle’ stage often before the cold sore usually appears.  When applied at this stage it can reduce the impact and severity of cold sores. 

How does Aciclovir Cream for cold sores work?

The cream contains the active ingredient aciclovir. This is an antiviral and destroys the herpes virus that causes cold sores. Aciclovir for cold sores is best used at the ‘tingle’ stage.  When applied at this stage, it can help prevent the cold sore from appearing.

Aciclovir cold sore cream can also help the healing process when a cold sore has appeared, helping it heal in four to five days.

Often cold sores can appear in the same area around the lips and the same place as previous outbreaks. When a tingle or feeling that a cold sore may be forming, apply Aciclovir as soon as possible.     

How to use Aciclovir cream

Aciclovir is easy to apply using the following directions;

1. Wash your hands before applying aciclovir.
2. Put a small amount of cream on your finger and rub it on the area of the cold sore.
3. Apply Aciclovir to the area affected Five times a day (this should be spaced out on average every four hours.)
4. Continue to treat for four days. This should be continued even if the cold sore has healed or completely disappears.   
5. If the cold sore has not healed at this time continue treatment for a further FIVE days.

Avoid prolonged use. If your cold sore has not healed after nine days, speak to your doctor or healthcare professional for advice.

Aciclovir cream should not be used if it is more than five days since your cold sore has appeared. Do not attempt to use aciclovir at this point. Aciclovir is best used in the early stages of a cold sore developing.

What is a cold sore?

A cold sore is a small blister that usually appears around the lip area.  Cold sores can also appear on other areas of the face and are caused by a virus that can live in the skin. The virus can flare every so often to form itchy and very contagious blisters.

A cold sore can develop at any time when the virus is present, although the likelihood of cold sores increases when you’re already ill.

Are cold sores harmful?

Cold sores are usually harmless, although they can be uncomfortable causing itchiness, burning and irritation. Cold sores normally will heal within ten days without any treatment used, however cold sores can be painful and uncomfortable which may require treatment with Aciclovir.

Are cold sores and herpes the same thing?

There are similarities with cold sores and herpes as both form sore or itchy blisters which can also cause tingling or a burning sensation in the affected area. The herpes simplex virus is the cause of both conditions. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and genital herpes can be caused by HSV-1 or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). 

This virus can be passed on easily, so care must be taken to avoid skin contact, kissing or sexual contact.

How does aciclovir work?

Aciclovir is a cream that is applied to the lips to help prevent and treat cold sores. The active ingredient aciclovir is part of a group of medicines called antivirals.

The cream is used to treat the virus herpes simplex which causes cold sores. The active ingredient works to slow the growth and helps to speed up the healing process of blisters caused by cold sores. 

Can you buy aciclovir over the counter in the UK?

Aciclovir 2g tubes are available to purchase over the counter in the United Kingdom. However, you will need a prescription for 10g tubes of aciclovir cream. You can buy aciclovir online via our online doctor service after completing a short assessment. Once approved your medicine will be shipped out and delivered to your door.  

*Please note suitability will be assessed and our online doctor may not recommend this product if you are not suitable for treatment.

Can I use this aciclovir if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

The product manufacturer recommends avoiding this product when pregnant or breastfeeding and the active ingredient Aciclovir has been found to pass into breastmilk.

Aciclovir Side Effects

Side effects of Aciclovir cream are uncommon, and when they do occur are usually localised. Uncommon side effects, which affect less than 1 in 100 people, include:

• A burning or stinging feeling after applying the cream. This feeling tends to go away
• Itching
• Drying or flaking of the skin

Rare side effects, affecting less than 1 in 1,000 people, include:

• Redness of the skin
• Skin rash

Very rarely, a patient may experience an allergic reaction to Aciclovir cream. Stop using the treatment immediately and seek medical attention if you experience the following:

• Rash
• Itchy skin
• Weal
• Swelling of the lips, face and/or eyelids

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Aciclovir cream ingredients

The active substance is aciclovir and the cream contains 50 mg in every 1 g (5%).

The other ingredients are stearoyl macrogolglycerides, dimeticone, cetyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin, propylene glycol and purified water. Different brands of aciclovir cream may contain slightly different ingredients.