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What is docosanol?
Docosanol is the active ingredient in ABREVA. Docosanol has been clinically proven to shorten cold sore healing time. Docosanol and its metabolite (n-docosanoic acid) are present in many common foods and are virtually unavoidable in the diet. Common dietary sources of n-docosanoic acid include chocolate, peanuts, and certain oils. It also occurs in a variety of unprocessed fruits and vegetables.
What is the mode of action of docosanol?
Docosanol works by changing the cell membrane which surrounds healthy skin cells. The modified cell membrane acts as a barrier to the cold sore virus so that the virus cannot enter the cell to begin the process of infection.
Can you explain how docosanol blocks cold sores?
Treating cells with docosanol alters the properties of the host cell membrane in a way that inhibits or blocks, the causative agent of cold sores - the herpes simplex virus - from entering the cell via its normal pathway. Although individual virus particles are not inhibited from attaching to or binding to the herpes virus specific receptors on the cell membrane, the viral envelope, and the cell membrane cannot fuse as is required for productive infection. Because there is no viral/cell fusion, the genomic material of the virus is less likely to enter the cell so viral replication cannot occur.*
Is docosanol an antiviral?
Docosanol is not classified as an antiviral. Typically nucleoside analogues, like penciclovir (Denavir®) and acyclovir (Zovirax®) are considered to be the only antivirals that are used in herpes labialis, and they are classified as antivirals because their activity occurs in virus-infected cells. Docosanol's mode of action is distinct from this, in that its mode of action takes place only in healthy cells, where it works on the cell membrane to help inhibit the ability of the virus to fuse with the cell membrane so that the virus is less likely to enter the cell to begin the process of infection.
How does ABREVA compare to Denavir?
They are both approved to speed healing of cold sores. However, they work differently. Denavir is an antiviral whereas ABREVA is not. Denavir is available only by prescription whereas ABREVA is available OTC.
Does ABREVA provide symptomatic relief?
ABREVA provides symptomatic relief as a result of the healing process. It is clinically proven to shorten the duration of symptoms, such as tingling, pain, burning, and itching. The cream is a soothing formula that contains no irritants.
Will ABREVA work if a patient comes to me after a blister has already formed?
Best results with ABREVA are obtained when treatment stars early - at the tingle/bump/redness stage of the cold sore.
Can docosanol be used to prevent cold sores?
Docosanol has not been tested, nor is it indicated for preventing cold sores.
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