Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Aciclovir may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for Cold Sore Cream is used for the treatment of cold sores. The active ingredient is aciclovir, an antiviral agent. Apply at the first signs of a cold sore (such as tingling and itching). It can also be used to speed up healing if one has already appeared.
What you need to know before you take it
e Cold Sore Cream Do not use Cold Sore Cream: •
• • •
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to Aciclovir, valaciclovir, propylene glycol or any other ingredients of the preparation (see section 6 for a complete list of ingredients). Inside your mouth (e.g. for mouth ulcers) or nose. For any skin infection other than a cold sore. In the eyes or genital area.
Take special care with Cold Sore Cream: • • • • • • • • •
Always wash your hands before and after applying Cold Sore Cream. Do not touch your eyes until you have washed your hands after application. If you accidentally get cream in your eye, wash out thoroughly with warm water. Consult your doctor if you are concerned. Do not swallow the cream. If you accidentally swallow any cream, it is unlikely to cause any ill effects but consult your doctor if you are concerned. Avoid touching a cold sore to prevent transferring the infection or making it worse. If you have been told by your doctor that you have a weakened immune system, contact your doctor before treating any type of infection. If you are in any doubt if you have a cold sore, contact your doctor. If your cold sore gets very severe, contact your doctor. Tell your doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking any regular medication on prescription or over the counter products.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding: Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Cold Sore Cream if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Important information about some of the ingredients of Cold Sore Cream Cold Sore Cream contains cetyl alcohol and propylene glycol which may cause local skin reactions (skin irritation and redness).
How to take it
Cold Sore Cream: Suitable for all ages: • • • • • • • • • •
Apply at the first signs of a cold sore (such as tingling and itching). Apply liberally to the affected area S times a day. Continue treatment for 4 days. If your cold sore hasn't healed after this time, you can use the cream for up to I0 days in total. Treat your cold sore for 4 full days to ensure rapid healing. If you forget a dose, apply when you remember and continue as before. If your cold sore hasn't healed fully after I0 days, or if it gets worse at any time, contact your doctor. Never give your Cold Sore Cream to others, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. The amount of cream inside this pack is enough for one cold sore attack. For any future attacks, start treatment at the first signs of a cold sore developing (such as tingling or itching). It can also be started during the blister stage. Do not use more than the recommended dose.
Possible side effects
:
Like all medicines Cold Sore Cream can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor if you experience: •
Allergy-like reactions, for example swelling of the lips, face and eyelids.
The following side effects could also occur: • •
Mild burning or stinging after application. This will quickly go away. Redness, itching or a mild drying or flaking of the skin, skin rashes, hives or weals.
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the yellow card scheme at http://www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card on Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Cold Sore Cream Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Cold Sore Cream after the expiry or 'use by' date shown on the container. Use within 6 weeks of opening. Keep Cold Sore Cream in its original container and store at a temperature below 25°C but do not refrigerate or freeze.
Contents of the pack and other information
What the cream contains: The active ingredient is Aciclovir. Each gram of the cream contains SO mg of Aciclovir. The other ingredients are stearoyl macrogolglycerides, dimeticone, cetyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin, propylene glycol and purified water.
What Cold Sore Cream looks like and contents of the pack Cold Sore Cream is available from your pharmacist without prescription in a 2 g tube.
Produced for: The Boots Company PLC, Nottingham, NG2 3AA. UK. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Relonchem Limited, Cheshire House, Gorsey Lane, Widnes, Cheshire, WAS 0RP
This leaflet was last revised in: January 2021. PL 20395/0001 D27-0I0S BCSS/00 Code: GO/DRUGS/361 GSL
Frequently asked questions about Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream
How do I take Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream?
Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream comes as cream. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream?
The active substance in Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream is aciclovir.
Are there equivalent medicines to Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Pinewood Cold Sore Cream, Virasorb Cold Sore Cream, Zovirax Cold Sore Cream. In total there are 4 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: aciclovir
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Boots Antiviral Cold Sore 5% w/w Cream. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.