If you develop the occasional cold sore or fever blister, it’s important that you always have a cold sore medicine in tote. These cold sores lie dormant in the nerves of the face, activated only during the time when your immune system is compromised such as during a fever or a cold. That’s why they’ve also been called fever blisters.
Cold sores can be mildly painful and extremely unsightly. To get rid of them fast, it’s important that you use the best cold sore medicine you can find. So, which product is it going to be?
Find out how to choose the right cold sore remedy for you by checking out this comprehensive guide!
Top 10 Cold Sore Medicines Table
| Picture | Name | Formula | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Abreva Only FDA Approved Cold Sore Treatment/Fever Blister Medicine to Shorten the Duration of Healing Time | Medicated | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 2. Zilactin Cold Sore Gel | Medicated | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 3. Quantum Super Lysine Plus Coldstick With SPF21 | Herbal | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 4. Quantum Super Lysine+ Cream | Herbal | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 5. MERIX Releev 1 Day Cold Sore Treatment 6ML | Herbal | $ | 4.4 |
 | 6. HERP-B-GONE - Herpes, Cold Sores and Shingles: Suppress Herpes and Live Life on Your Terms | Herbal | $$$ | 4.3 |
 | 7. Orajel Single Dose Cold Sore Treatment, 0.04 Oz, 2 Count | Medicinal | $$ | 4.2 |
 | 8. Hyland's Cold Sores & Fever Blisters Relief Tablets, Natural Cold Sore Relief, 100 Count | Herbal | $$ | 4.2 |
 | 9. The Alchemist Collection Anti-Viral, Herbal Lip Ointment For Cold Sore Outbreak Prevention | Herbal | $$ | 3.9 |
 | 10. Aubio Cold Sore Treatment Gel | Herbal | $$$$ | 3.2 |
Buying Information for Cold Sore Medicine
Different varieties of cold sore medicine have made it difficult for people to make a quick choice when looking for the right product. Understanding these three considerations will help you narrow down your options and choose a product that fits your needs and preferences.
- Medicated Remedies. Medicated cold sore remedies often come in the form of creams and balms that are applied directly onto the sore. These incorporate different ingredients that are clinically proven to eliminate cold sores and relieve the pain they might cause. Often, they’re considered the best cold sore medicine options on the market because they’re highly effective, but they can cause some side-effects.
- Docosanol. The first FDA approved non-prescription cold sore medicine, docosanol is used to treat the first signs of cold sore outbreaks. It’s formulated to help ease symptoms as well as to shorten the time it takes to a full recovery.
- Benzyl Alcohol. Often comes as a gel. This active ingredient is most effective when used at the start of cold sore development and not when sores have already developed into more severe forms.
- Lidocaine. While this doesn’t work to relieve the cold sore itself, lidocaine does help at effective pain and symptom relief.
- Dimethicone. By moisturizing the area and nourishing the skin, dimethicone slowly works away any cold sores or fever blisters it’s applied onto. It also helps protect against the sun and reduce pain and discomfort.
- Herbal Treatments. Several herbal remedies have also been developed for the relief of cold sores. These help to reduce the severity of symptoms, speed up the healing process, and eliminate the chances for side-effects like itching and burning sensations. Of course, there is no guarantee that herbal treatments will take effect, but they have had some positive reviews in the past.
- Lysine. From the root word “lyse” which means “to disintegrate”, lysine is an amino acid that is said to eat away at the abnormal cold sore cells. This in turn makes way for clear, clean, and smooth skin free from cold sores.
- Benzalkonium Chloride. This organic salt slowly dissolves cold sores, creating a hostile environment around the sore that leaves it unable to thrive.
- Aloe. Working much like dimethicon, aloe aims to moisturize and nourish the surrounding skin to make it more capable of fighting off the abnormal cold sore cells.
- Single Use vs Multiple Use. Some cold sore remedies come in single use doses, which can be a great pick if you want to be able to use the treatment without the risk of leaving behind any contamination. Remember, the virus that causes cold sores is highly communicable.
If you use a multi-use tub or tube of ointment or balm, the chances of infecting another person become higher. To steer clear of leaving behind pathogens, consider single use. If you don’t have plans of sharing, a multi-use will do just fine.
Top 5 Best Cold Sore Medicine Reviews
1. Abreva Only FDA Approved Cold Sore Treatment
Rated by users as the best cold sore medicine available on the market, Abreva Cold Sore and Fever Blister Treatment is a medicated cold sore treatment that incorporates docosanol as its main ingredient. The formula comes in a small tube container and is applied as necessary over the areas affected.
When using Abreva Cold Sore and Fever Blister Treatment, it’s ideal to apply a small amount around the areas where you expect to develop cold sores before they even show. This means that if you sense the development of a cold or fever, placing the treatment on potential cold sores could help avoid the situation all together.
Because it’s highly effective at ending cold sores fast and preventing them from developing in the first place, this product has earned a thumbs up from the vast majority of people who have used it for relief and comfort.
2. Zilactin Cold Sore Gel
Another top pick for users is Zilactin Cold Sore Gel. Much like Abreva, this option is also medicated, however it incorporates benzyl alcohol in place of docosanol. The 10% formula is guaranteed to relieve pain for up to 6 hours, providing temporary relief against the symptoms of cold sores.
Zilactin Cold Sore Gel is an early relief remedy, which means that it works best when applied on to the cold sores before they’re full blown. Unfortunately, it can’t completely prevent them and merely reduces the extent of pain and discomfort they cause. Regardless, it is a reasonable option, especially if you want a product that can help you manage pain for a longer period of time.
3. Quantum Super Lysine Plus Coldstick With SPF21
The Quantum Super Lysine Plus Coldstick with SPF21 is preferred by some because of its convenience compared to other options. Coming in the form of a retractable stick of balm, this product is ideal for people on the go.
The Quantum Super Lysine Plus Coldstick with SPF21 is 100% all natural, using the organic component lysine to eat away at the cells of a cold sore. The balm is odorless and easily absorbed into the skin, leaving no sticky residue behind.
The only concern that some people have with the Quantum Super Lysine Plus Coldstick is that rubbing the stick’s surface all over an area could risk infecting a new area of skin with cold sores. To avoid this, dabbing the stick on a specific area only can help reduce the chances of cross contamination.
4. Quantum Super Lysine+ Cream
Another top product from Quantum, the Quantum Super Lysine Cold Sore Treatment is a remedy that incorporates the same formula as the Coldstick, with the distinction that it comes as a cream in a tube.
For users who want the same speedy relief and recovery that Quantum provides but don’t want to risk the chances of spreading the virus with a contaminated stick, Quantum Super Lysine Cold Sore Treatment is the perfect solution.
The only issue that some have with this Quantum product is that it’s only safe for use on cold sores that appear on the lips. Fever blisters developing on other parts of the body may not be as easily relieved by this product.
5. MERIX Releev 1 Day Cold Sore Treatment
The fifth most effective cold sore treatment based on user reviews is Releev 1 Day Cold Sore Treatment. Containing benzalkonium chloride, this product aims to dissolve cold sores by working them away with an organic salt compound.
While it is generally effective, some users complain that the pain relief benefits of Releev 1 Day Cold Sore Treatment can be very marginal. So if you want a cold sore treatment that will help numb out the discomfort of the problem, this may fall short of expectations.