Asking for a friend.
Does anyone know, is it possible to acquire Valtrex / valacyclovir in Switzerland? This is a medicine that can reduce the duration of cold sores.
According to Compendium, it’s available, category A - meaning you need an Rx. So speak with your Hausarzt.
Here the standard med a pharmacist will give you for cold sores is Zovirax, or aciclovir. It's about as effective as valacyclovir, for both meds the key thing is to apply the medication as soon as you start to feel the onset of a cold sore. As the drug mechanism is to prevent the virus from replicating applying it to a well-advanced sore won't change much: early intervention is key.
I have terrible cold sores and for me the key thing is to always wear sunscreen on my lips even if going outside for a few minutes. Sun damage can trigger virus replication, so sun protection is key to reducing the occurrence of sores.
In 2020 I had the first cold sore since 1980--I chalked it up to pandemic anxiety. Shortly thereafter I had another one...ditto. As doctor visits were in short supply, I tried an old remedy. At the first tingle I applied straight vodka several times a day. Have to admit, it worked wonders. Helps if you also drink some.
Oh, and don't forget to replace your toothbrush after a cold sore.
I had a cold sore about a year ago and asked the pharmacist what they recommend. I was given this, without a prescription:
Aviral Crème
It works pretty well, and I found it better than the old camphophenique from the USA. It was more moisturizing and less drying.
Be careful who you kiss maybe
It should be easy to get zovirax at the pharmacy - it's in a tiny little tube and you won't need a prescription.
60-80% of adults carry the cold sore virus. It lives in the nerve endings around the mouth and flares up when the immune system is down - as others have said, sunlight/UV/sunburn or windburn can trigger it....
HI, I get valacyclovir on prescription from the doctor. Valtrex is the more expensive option.
Works wonder for me as I get severe outbreaks and this medication helps greatly.
Thanks for all the insight! I'm glad to see valacyclovir is readily available in CH. Taken at the onset of the dreaded tingle, it seems to work really well at keeping the cold sore at bay instead of turning into a 2-3 week ordeal.