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Cell Entry Virus Blocker

ABREVA® is the only OTC cold sore treatment to contain docosanol, a unique cell entry virus blocker.

Docosanol works by inhibiting the entry of the HSV-1 virus into healthy lip cells*. This is unlike prescription antiviral agents, which directly affect the HSV-1 virus. Docosanol modifies the membrane of the lip cell and hampers the HSV-1 virus's ability to fuse with the cell. This can limit or halt viral replication. Thus, docosanol [ABREVA] helps to speed healing and reduce symptom duration.1**

Although the application of docosanol [ABREVA] can start any time, for maximum clinical benefit it should be applied as soon as possible (tingle stage).

	Dollop of ABREVA soothing on contact
	Cold sore
	Skin surface
	Infected cells
	Cold sore virus
	ABREVA's docosanol penetrating the skin
	Healthy cells protected by ABREVA's unique cell entry blocking mode of action

The clinical efficacy of docosanol [ABREVA] was established in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. This study compared the effects of docosanol [ABREVA] and placebo in 743 patients with acute recurrent herpes simplex labialis.1

Data from this study showed that docosanol [ABREVA] patients had a significant 15% faster median healing time versus topical cream placebo. The median time to complete cessation of symptoms was also significantly shorter by 20%.

Docosanol [ABREVA] is the only available OTC cold sore medication that has been approved by the FDA to be able to use the claims "shortens healing time" and "shortens duration of symptoms".

ABREVA soothes on contact for fast symptom relief. ABREVA's cream base contains a moisturizing ingredient. This is coupled with the fact that docosanol [ABREVA] has been clinically proven to significantly shorten the time to symptom elimination. 1

* Based on laboratory studies
** Median healing = 4.1 days (p=0.008), Median time to complete symptom relief = 2.2 days (p=0.002)

1. Sacks SL et al. Clinical effi cacy of topical docosanol 10% cream for herpes simplex labialis: a multicenter, randomized, placebo controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001: 45:222-230
2. Pope LE et al. Anti-herpes simplex virus activity of n-docosanol correlates with intracellular metabolic conversion of the drug. Jnl Lipid Research V27, Issue 10, 1996: 2169-2178

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