# Cold sores treatment online (UK)

> Antiviral tablets that shorten cold sore outbreaks when taken early.

Category: Skin & hair
Treatment options listed: 2. Sanara Health is an independent comparison platform — treatments are prescribed and supplied by UK-registered (GPhC) online clinics after their own consultations.

## Treatment options

### Antiviral cold-sore tablets

Format: Short tablet course. Prescription-only class (prescribed by the clinic where suitable — we do not name prescription-only medicines).

Prescription antiviral tablets that shorten cold-sore outbreaks when started at the first tingle — faster-acting than creams for frequent sufferers.

### Aciclovir 5% cold sore cream

Format: Cream, 5× daily. Available without prescription after a suitability check.

The classic over-the-counter cold sore cream, applied five times a day at the first sign of an outbreak.

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Canonical page: https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/medicines/cold-sore