In this article, I’m going to teach you how to use Famvir for cold sores. Ninety percent of all people get at least one cold sore in their life. This first occurrence is often the worst (mine sure was!).
After the first infection, many people develop antibodies and never have another cold sore. However, about 40% of American adults have recurring cold sores.
This was me for almost 20 years.
I had so many outbreaks that I suffered from serious psychological issues induced by cold sores.
To make a long story short…
I figured out how to prevent cold sore outbreaks, and I haven’t had a cold sore for four years now. However, millions of people are still suffering, and that’s why I created this blog.
I’ve made it my Life’s Purpose and Mission to help others learn how to prevent and treat cold sores.
So now a lot of my time is spent researching and writing about all of the best cold sore remedies in the world. Today’s topic is the treatment and prevention of cold sores by using a drug called Famvir.
Many people are using Famvir for cold sores, and in this article, I’m going to cover the Pros and Cons and give you a detailed Review of the use of Famvir for cold sores.
Famvir For Cold Sores – Cold Sore Overview
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are groups of small blisters that form on or near the lips. Cold sores are a result of something called herpes simplex virus (HSV).
There are two types of HSV, and both can cause cold sores. HSV-1 typically is responsible for cold sores, and HSV-2 is most often the cause of genital herpes.
However, both types of HSV can cause cold sores or genital herpes.
After primary infection, the virus resides in the associated dorsal root ganglion where it lies dormant until an external stimuli (such as stress or immunosuppression) initiate reactivation of the virus from dormancy.
The virus lives on forever, and that’s why people continue to get cold sores over and over again.
Famvir For Cold Sores – Famvir Overview
Famvir is the brand name for famciclovir, an antiviral drug that is most commonly used to treat infections by the herpes viruses that cause cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. Famvir was approved for medical use in 1994.
Famvir is prescribed for the following:
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Treatment of herpes simplex virus 2 (genital herpes)
- Herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent patients
- Suppression of recurring episodes of herpes simplex virus 2. It is also indicated for the treatment of recurrent episodes of herpes simplex in HIV patients.
Since cold sores come from a virus, the powerful antiviral drug Famvir is able to fight the herpes simplex virus in a very effective way.
When taken at the first sign of a cold sore (tingle, itch, burn) you can either prevent the cold sore from popping up or at minimum reduce the size and pain and shorten the healing time.
Herpes simplex lives in the nerve endings and thus is never cured, but Famvir can be used to treat or even prevent the symptoms of the virus.
Using Famvir for cold sores can lead to the following benefits:
- Decreases the severity and length of cold sore outbreaks
- Helps the sores heal faster
- Keeps new sores from forming
- Decreases pain/itching
- May also help reduce how long pain remains after the sores heal
In addition, in people with a weakened immune system, Famvir can decrease the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious infections.
Famvir For Cold Sores – Research
In a study from 2008, famciclovir and other antiviral drugs were tested to see how effective they were in the treatment of cold sores.
Here is a direct quote from the study:
Two treatment regimens with famciclovir (single 1500-mg dose or 750 mg twice daily for 1 day) were studied in 701 patients.30 The patients in the famciclovir groups had a shorter median time until the first lesions healed than did the placebo group (single dose: 4.4 days; 750 mg twice daily: 4.0 days; placebo: 6.2 days). In all of these studies, treatment was initiated when the first prodromal symptoms appeared.”
Furthermore, a 16-page PDF published online by the makers of Famvir sited multiple studies and clinical trials showing how using Famvir for cold sores has significant benefits.
How To Use Famvir For Cold Sores
After reading about the proven benefits of using Famvir for cold sores, you may decide that you’d like to use this antiviral drug.
If so, make sure you adhere to the following guidelines:
- Always use Famvir under the supervision of your doctor.
- Herpes labialis (cold sores) recommended dosing is 1500 mg as a single dose for immunocompetent adults.
- Famvir is most effective if started at the earliest sign or symptom of a cold sore (such as tingling, burning, itching, pain, or lesion).
- Famvir is prescribed for chronic suppression of recurrent genital herpes, and some doctors also prescribe Famvir for daily use to suppress recurrent cold sores outbreaks.
- Make sure you review the possible side effects and interactions of using Famvir or the generic famciclovir for cold sores.
Immune Support
Most people that suffer from recurring cold sores can totally eliminate outbreaks by using a supplement to boost their immune system.
When your immune system is strong, this enables you to prevent cold sore outbreaks with ease. My favorite cold sore prevention supplement is called Immune Support, and many people have used this daily organic supplement to boost their immune system and prevent cold sores.
Click here to learn how Immune Support works…
Furthermore, there are many other things you can do to prevent cold sores naturally that are simple and effective. To learn additional free tips, make sure you check out my Ultimate Guide To Preventing Cold Sores.
It has absolutely everything you need to know.
If you have any comments or questions on the use of Famvir for cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
Ryan says
I have a commercial shoot coming up and I am terrified of getting a cold sore. Should I take my Famvir just in case?
Matt says
Don’t stress!! That fear is the worst thing so relax about it because in a calm, relaxed state you will avoid the stress outbreak.