Aciclovir Tablets for Cold Sores: When You Need Them and How to Get Them

Cold sores affect up to 70% of adults in the UK. Whilst minor outbreaks usually clear up on their own, or through the use of over-the-counter creams, frequent or severe outbreaks require a more targeted treatment.

If you are struggling to manage cold sore outbreaks, or if the cream hasn’t helped, aciclovir tablets could provide the relief you need.

As a prescription-only (POM) treatment, these must be prescribed for you. Request treatment today through our GPhC-registered online clinic today, all from the comfort of your home.

What are aciclovir tablets and how do they differ from the cream?

The tablets contain the same active ingredient as the cream: aciclovir - a powerful antiviral.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) causes cold sores. Once a person is infected with HSV-1, it stays ‘asleep’ in the body for life. During a cold sore outbreak, the virus ‘awakens’, replicates and moves to the skin surface, causing all the recognisable symptoms: tingling, fluid-filled blisters, pain and inflammation.

Unlike the cream, which only acts on the skin surface, tablets work systemically from the inside out. Once swallowed, the medication targets the virus within your system, flooding the body with the antiviral drug, stopping viral replication across a wider area.

When are oral antivirals the right choice?

The oral antivirals suit those individuals who are:

• Immunocompromised, due to HIV, chemotherapy or have had an organ transplant.

• Have severe outbreaks.

• Have frequent outbreaks - the tablets can be taken everyday to suppress the virus, preventing outbreaks

For these individuals, the cream simply isn’t strong enough. These patients require a more systemic antiviral which works throughout the body.

Do aciclovir tablets need a prescription in the UK?

Unlike the cream, which can be purchased over-the-counter, the tablets are prescription-only (POM). This means they can only be supplied once a registered prescriber has assessed your symptoms and your medical history for safety.

Here at Quick Meds, we ensure all treatments and advice provided are in line with GPhC regulations.

To request treatment, patients fill out an online consultation form which asks about your symptoms, your medical history and if you take any other medication.

Once submitted, you can add the tablets to your basket and checkout.

A prescriber will review your responses and, if deemed appropriate, will approve your order, dispatch usually on the same day for delivery by as soon as the next working day, in plain, discreet packaging.

For those who are not suitable for treatment from an online service, at Quick Meds, we provide tailored advice and signpost to the most appropriate source for your health needs.

How are aciclovir tablets taken for cold sores?

To ensure you get the most out of treatment, it's important to understand the correct dose schedule. Due to the way they work to stop viral replication, timing and consistency are crucial to treatment success.

The standard aciclovir dose, for adults with cold sores is 200mg taken five times daily, for 5 days. Those who experience more severe cases, they may be prescribed a dose of 400mg taken three times daily for 5 days.

If skin is healing slower, or new blisters are still appearing towards the end of the 5 day course, your prescriber may advise extending the course duration to 10 days.

Important note: Some online references state to take aciclovir at a dose of 800mg five times daily. This is an exceptionally high dose reserved for treating shingles or chicken pox and is not for cold sores.

Before making any dose adjustments or extending the treatment course, speak to your healthcare provider.

Tips for success:

• Evenly space the doses, throughout your normal waking hours. A suggested routine is 7AM, 11AM, 3PM, 7PM and 11PM.

• Impact of food. Food does not impact the tablets, which can be taken with or without food.

• Plenty of water. As the drug clears through the kidneys, drinking a full glass of water with the tablets helps protect the kidneys.

• Finish the whole course. Even if you notice symptoms improving, you must finish the full 5-day course.

Side effects and who shouldn't take them

Side effects

As with all medicines, aciclovir can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild, temporary and resolve on their own.

Most common side effects include:

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Nausea and vomiting

• Stomach cramps

• Diarrhoea

• Skin sensitivities - photosensitivity

Patients are advised to not drive or operate machinery if they experience dizziness or headaches. For those who experience stomach upset or nausea, they are advised to take tablets with a meal rather than an empty stomach.

For those who experience photosensitivity, it is recommended to wear SPF and avoid direct skin exposure.

Who needs to take extra care

Most patients can safely take aciclovir tablets with no issues. Some patients however, must take extra care. For these patients, clinical discretion is used, ensuring patient safety.

Kidney problems

Aciclovir is filtered through the kidneys. The elderly or those with kidney problems should exercise caution, if their kidneys aren’t working effectively, the drug will build up in the system, increasing the risk of side effects.

For this reason, patients are advised to stay well-hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps keep the kidneys flushed, allowing them to process the medication safely.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, taking aciclovir requires a careful risk/benefit evaluation.

Whilst not known to be harmful to an unborn baby, and has been used safely for many years, UK health guidelines state it should only be prescribed if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Neurological conditions or elderly

The elderly are more likely to experience neurological side effects, such as confusion, tremors, or agitations - especially if they’re also dehydrated or have kidney problems.
For patients over 65, treatment must be closely monitored.

Who Cannot Take Aciclovir Tablets

The tablets cannot be taken by anyone who is known to be allergic to aciclovir, valaciclovir or any of the inactive ingredients.

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a cold sore medication in the past, inform the Quick Meds team so we may consider alternative, safer options.

How do I get aciclovir tablets from QuickMeds?

To get aciclovir tablets from Quick Meds, go to our website to the cold sore section.

Click the start consultation button. Fill out and complete the full form and submit. Following this, add aciclovir tablets to your basket and checkout.

Our GPhC-registered team of prescribers will review your responses for suitability. Once approved, orders are packaged securely in plain, discreet packaging and dispatched usually on the same day for delivery as soon as the next day.