GPhC Registered: 9012621
Aciclovir Tablets for Cold Sores
- Antiviral tablets for cold sores
- 200mg five times a day for 5 days
- Free online clinical assessment by a UK prescriber
- Private prescription included
- Fast UK delivery*
If you get cold sores that keep coming back or are slow to heal, we may be able to help. You’ll need to complete a simple online consultation so our prescribers can recommend the best option for you.
Want your order delivered as soon as possible?
Order before 3pm for next working day delivery (Mon-Fri).
Experienced UK-registered prescribers
Owned by qualified doctors
2-minute consultation
UK-wide express delivery
Product information: Aciclovir Tablets for Cold Sores
What is aciclovir?
Aciclovir is a prescription antiviral medicine used to treat cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. Aciclovir tablets work from the inside by stopping the virus from multiplying, which can help a cold sore heal faster and ease pain and tingling. They work best when you start them at the first sign of an outbreak.
Aciclovir does not cure the virus or stop it coming back in future. It is not suitable if you have significant kidney problems. Your prescriber will check your medical history to make sure aciclovir is safe for you.
Who can get aciclovir for cold sores?
Aciclovir tablets may be suitable if you:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Have had cold sores before, and this one looks and feels like your usual cold sores
- Have a cold sore that started in the last 5 days
- Get cold sores that are frequent, large, painful or slow to heal
- Get fewer than 6 cold sores a year
Most cold sores clear up on their own within 10 days, and antiviral creams are available over the counter. Our prescribers will recommend tablets when they are likely to help more.
During your online consultation, we’ll ask you about:
- Whether this cold sore looks and feels like your usual ones, and when it started
- How often you get cold sores
- Any sores near your eyes or inside your mouth
- Any medical conditions you have, especially kidney problems or a weakened immune system
- Past or present allergies to medicines
- Any medication or treatments you’re currently having
- If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding
This will help your prescriber find a treatment that’s safe and effective for you.
How it works
Online consultation
Fill out a simple online form with no GP or pharmacy visits.
Clinical review
A UK-registered pharmacist reviews your details to decide the best treatment option for you.
Receive your prescription
If prescribed, you can get express delivery in discreet packaging right to your doorstep.
Delivery Information
Royal Mail Tracked 24
1–2 working days
£3.99
Royal Mail Special Delivery
Guaranteed next working day delivery
£8.95
Discreet Packaging
All orders are sent in plain, unmarked packaging with no indication of the contents. Your privacy is our priority.
Side Effects
Like any treatment, aciclovir can cause some side effects, although not everybody gets them. Most are mild and pass with time, such as:
- Headache
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling or being sick
- Diarrhoea or stomach pain
- Skin rash or itching
We’ll explain what to look out for and ways to manage any side effects.
Rarely, aciclovir can cause serious side effects. Stop taking it and get urgent medical advice if you pass much less urine than usual or have pain in your lower back or side, feel confused or drowsy, or notice yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Please call 999 or go straight to A&E if you have:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- A severe skin rash with blistering, peeling or sores
If you notice any changes not listed above or if any side effects become difficult to manage, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist for further guidance. You can also report it through the Yellow Card Scheme to help others take their medication safely.
Frequently asked questions about Aciclovir Tablets for Cold Sores
You can only buy aciclovir online for cold sores if it’s been prescribed to you by a UK-registered prescriber after a clinical assessment.
If you get cold sores, you can complete an online consultation reviewed by one of our experienced UK-registered clinicians. They’ll review your symptoms and medical history to decide the best treatment for you. If prescribed, you can order aciclovir online through our pharmacy.
We’ll only prescribe aciclovir when it’s clinically appropriate. If it isn’t the right treatment for you, we can help you find other options instead and you’ll receive a full refund.
Aciclovir tablets can help cold sores heal faster and reduce pain, especially if you start them within the first day, ideally when you first feel tingling, burning or itching. They can be particularly helpful if you get frequent or severe cold sores.
Complete our online consultation for a clinical assessment by one of our experienced prescribers to find out whether you’re eligible for a prescription to buy aciclovir 200mg tablets online.
Yes. Zovirax is a brand name for aciclovir. They contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way.
Tablets work from inside your body and can be more helpful if you get frequent, large or painful cold sores. Creams can help with small, occasional cold sores. Your prescriber can advise which is best for you.
Both help cold sores heal faster when started early. Valaciclovir is taken for just one day, while aciclovir tablets are taken five times a day for 5 days. Your prescriber will recommend the most suitable option during your consultation.
You can buy aciclovir cream over the counter at a pharmacy. But aciclovir tablets are a prescription-only medicine, so you need a prescription from a licensed prescriber to buy them.
If you get cold sores, you can fill out our simple online questionnaire to start your consultation with one of our UK-registered prescribers. Then, if prescribed, you can buy aciclovir 200mg tablets through our online pharmacy with fast UK delivery.
You can order aciclovir 200mg tablets through an online pharmacy after a clinical assessment with a registered prescriber. A prescriber will only prescribe aciclovir if it’s clinically appropriate for you and your situation.
Do not buy prescription medicines from pharmacies or websites that do not require a consultation with a medical professional.
At My Chemist Plus, you can have a free consultation with a UK-registered, experienced prescriber for aciclovir. If prescribed, you can order aciclovir online with fast UK-wide delivery. Fill out a quick health questionnaire to get started.
Yes. Cold sores are most contagious when the blisters burst, and stay contagious until they have completely healed. To avoid spreading the virus:
- Avoid kissing and oral sex until the cold sore has healed
- Do not share cups, towels, lip balm or cutlery
- Wash your hands after touching the cold sore or applying cream
- Avoid touching your eyes after touching the cold sore
- Take extra care around babies, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system
Always follow your prescriber’s instructions and complete the full course of treatment even if the cold sore starts to heal.
- Start taking the tablets as soon as you notice the first signs of a cold sore, such as tingling, burning or itching.
- Take one tablet five times a day, about 4 hours apart while you’re awake. For instance, at 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm and midnight.
- Swallow the tablets with water. You can take them with or without food.
- Drink plenty of fluids while you’re taking aciclovir.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not take two tablets at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose.
For adults, the usual dose is one 200mg tablet five times a day for 5 days – 25 tablets in total. It’s very important you follow your prescriber’s advice and finish the full course.
Many people notice the cold sore healing faster within a few days of starting treatment. If your cold sore has not healed within 10 days, or it is spreading, seek medical advice.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your prescriber during your consultation. Aciclovir can be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding when it is needed, and your prescriber will advise whether it is right for you.
If you get 6 or more cold sores a year, speak to your GP. They can check for triggers and discuss daily treatment to help prevent them. Using sunscreen lip balm can help if sunlight triggers your cold sores.
Alcohol does not interact with aciclovir. But, drinking too much can leave you dehydrated, and it’s important to drink plenty of water while you take aciclovir.
Aciclovir should not usually affect your ability to drive. But, some people feel dizzy or tired. If this happens, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel better.
No. Aciclovir does not affect any type of hormonal contraception, including the contraceptive pill and emergency contraception.
Tell your prescriber about all medicines you take. In particular, mention:
- Other antiviral medicines, such as valaciclovir
- Probenecid, used for gout
- Cimetidine, used for indigestion
- Medicines that can affect your kidneys, such as ciclosporin, tacrolimus or lithium
Get urgent medical help from a GP or NHS 111 if:
- The cold sore is near your eye, or your eye is red, painful or sensitive to light
- You have a weakened immune system, for example because of chemotherapy or diabetes
- The cold sore is large, very painful or spreading
- You feel very unwell or have a high temperature
- Your gums are swollen and painful with sores inside your mouth
Product Information Leaflet
Regulated and Safe
General Pharmaceutical Council
My Chemist Plus is registered and regulated by the GPhC, who are the official body that regulates and inspects all pharmacies in the UK. They are responsible to ensure we provide the highest standards in care.
LegitScript certification
My Chemist Plus is certified by Legit Script, who monitors online pharmacies to evaluate compliance, adherence and licensing to regulation.
References
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Herpes simplex – oral. Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/herpes-simplex-oral/
- NHS. Cold sores. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cold-sores/
- NHS. Aciclovir. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/aciclovir/
- EMC Patient Information Leaflet (Aciclovir 200mg tablets). Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2351.pdf