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Abreva

Docosanol

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User Ratings

Out of 10

Satisfaction

6.5

6.9 Effectiveness

2.4 Side Effects

6 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 2 Abreva side effects and 3 Abreva benefits.

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Treatment Information

Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

There is currently no information to display in this section. RateADrug provides information about drugs and supplements though a wiki format provided by researchers, health care providers and others. We encourage you to add to this description by clicking on the button below.

Common Uses:

This medication is used in treating cold sores or fever blisters on the face or lips and shortening the duration of symptoms (eg, tingling, pain, itching, burning).

Off Label Uses:

None noted currently.

Side Effects:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing;
Tightness in the chest;
Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

Cautions / Warnings:

Not advisable in people who are allergic to any ingredient in Abreva;
Not advisable in people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant.

Drug Interactions:
There is no specific interactions with Abreva.

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User Ratings

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Brands	Effectiveness	Holistic Benefits	Side Effects	Number of Ratings
Herplex	9.4	7.28	0.16	15
Valtrex	8.45	6.06	1.06	11
Abreva	7.33	6.84	1.9	6
Acyclovir	4.88	5.61	2.59	8
Zovirax	0.6	3.02	5.69	5

View All	About these Scores
	Choose a condition to compare treatments based on user feedback. You can sort by Effectiveness, Holistic Benefits or Side Effects RateADrug user scores, or the number of Ratings. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Effectiveness of Abreva by Condition

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Herpes

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Effectiveness on "Herpes"

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of how users rate the effectiveness of their medication. Click on the various conditions to see how the effectiveness ratings change. Close

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How effective is Abreva?

Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being

Since taking Abreva, RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:

Effect on:	Much Worse	Worse	No Change	Better	Much Better
Appetite	0%	0%	82.4%	17.6%	0%
Balance/Equilibrium	0%	0%	94.1%	5.9%	0%
Blood Pressure	0%	0%	94.1%	5.9%	0%
Breathing	0%	5.9%	88.2%	5.9%	0%
Confidence	0%	11.8%	88.2%	0%	0%
Coordination/Motor Skills	0%	0%	94.1%	5.9%	0%
Digestion	0%	0%	88.2%	11.8%	0%
Emotional Well-being	0%	5.9%	82.4%	5.9%	5.9%
Energy	0%	0%	88.2%	11.8%	0%
Eyesight	0%	0%	94.1%	5.9%	0%
Memory	0%	0%	100%	0%	0%
Mental Clarity	0%	5.9%	94.1%	0%	0%
Pain	0%	11.8%	64.7%	23.5%	0%
Patience	0%	0%	82.4%	17.6%	0%
Sexual Health	0%	0%	76.5%	11.8%	11.8%
Skin Complexion	0%	5.9%	70.6%	17.6%	5.9%
Sleep	0%	0%	94.1%	5.9%	0%
Stress Level	0%	5.9%	82.4%	5.9%	5.9%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of negative or positive changes in health and well-being experienced by users for all of the categories listed. Close

Commonly Reported Abreva Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Dizziness	94.1%	5.9%	0%	0%	0%
Drowsiness	80%	20%	0%	0%	0%
Fatigue	88.2%	11.8%	0%	0%	0%
Headache	94.1%	5.9%	0%	0%	0%
Hypersensitivity	87.5%	6.2%	6.2%	0%	0%
Irregular Heartbeat	80%	20%	0%	0%	0%
Mood Swings	80%	20%	0%	0%	0%
Nausea	87.5%	6.2%	6.2%	0%	0%
Skin Inflammation	81.2%	12.5%	6.2%	0%	0%
Skin Rash	91.7%	0%	8.3%	0%	0%
Stinging Sensation	81.2%	18.8%	0%	0%	0%
Vomiting	93.8%	6.2%	0%	0%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

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User Comments about Abreva

25 Nov 2011	Abreva does work for cold sores though it is slower acting than other medications I have tried and often causes the rest of my lips to crack and become painful. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
12 Sep 2011	way too expensive and sometimes it takes awhile too work- too bad it is one of the only thing to work for cold sores —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
01 Jun 2011	i love it, relliefes pain and treats symptoms but takes too long for symptoms to disappear —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
11 Jan 2011	I use Abreva and it works well. however you need a buy a new tube everytime. If you open a tube abd even use just a little out of it and then need to use it a week or so later it doesn't work. It's like the active ingredient in it evapourates our something. At $20 a tube it should work until it's gone. —Posted by Peter Phillips Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
16 Feb 2010	It has helps but it is a slow process. It is way too expensive and I am looking for an alternative. —Posted by Hapiwings49 Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use