Abreva is a topical ointment/cream to combat cold sores, or fever blisters that appear on the lips or face. It also shortens the duration of existing symptoms and delays healing time. Abreva comes in both an OTC and generic form. It is usually recommended that people with a fever blister (cold sore) use an OTC remedy first, and if there are no symptoms, then go with the generic. However, there is some evidence that generic Abreva may be better at penetrating the skin, so that it can get to the area affected by a fever blister or cold sore.

Abreva works to shrink the size of the herpes virus that causes cold sores. Once it has done this, the virus remains dormant, making it not contagious to others, and preventing the blister from growing. Abreva may be used topically on any part of the body where herpes is known to occur. It is especially useful for those with herpes who have trouble healing cold sores or fever blisters. Abreva's active ingredient, docosanol, helps to kill off the herpes virus. In addition, docosanol increases the amount of antibodies that the body produces to fight off future herpes outbreaks. This increase in antibodies gives the immune system a greater chance of fighting off the herpes virus in the future.

Once a blister is treated, if it remains open, Abreva can be used topically to close the blister. The application of Abreva will usually last for about a week and will require repeated applications, as needed, for the best results. It is important to remember to keep Abreva away from any food and water, and to always dry out the area thoroughly after applying the cream. This will prevent the ointment from sticking to the skin or getting stuck in the crevices. A doctor can prescribe oral anti-fungal medications to reduce the number of blister-causing herpes lesions. Also, doctors recommend that people with a history of herpes are carefully monitored during treatment.

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