COLD SORE FAQs

Let’s answer your questions

We have anticipated many of the most common questions below, but if you have anything else you’d like to ask us, please connect with us on our Contact Us page.

What is a cold sore?

Cold sores are painful and oozing, and they always seem to appear before that wedding or class reunion (or anything else that might be a tad stressful). Also called fever blisters, the small, fluid-filled lesions typically form near or on your lips and can cause symptoms such as tingling, itching, or burning.

What causes a cold sore?

Cold sores are painful and oozing, and they always seem to appear before that wedding or class reunion (or anything else that might be a tad stressful). Also called fever blisters, the small, fluid-filled lesions typically form near or on your lips and can cause symptoms such as tingling, itching, or burning.

Is there a cure for cold sores?

There’s no cure for cold sores. But, because they’re caused by a virus, they can be treated with antiviral medications. These include the prescription medication valacyclovir. The goal of treatment is to SHORTEN the duration of the cold sore. The best way to shorten duration is to combat the virus with prescription strength medication quickly.

What is the dosage of valacyclovir?

Valacyclovir is an oral tablet and Joe Pill sells it in 1000mg tablets to be taken twice daily for 2 days. Joe Pill also makes a proprietary acyclovir compounded lip balm. The lip balm is super convenient to start treatment with prescription strength medicine quickly — you know the feeling, that initial tingle! We send you 12 tablets of 1000mg valacyclovir to treat outbreaks … but the carry-anywhere lip balm can be used and conveniently carried to treat those cold sores even faster.

What are the side effects of valacyclovir?

The most common side effects of valacyclovir/acyclovir include:

  • headache
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain

The serious side effects of valacylovir can include:

Serious side effect Symptoms
kidney failure in people at risk of kidney damage fever, back pain in area where kidneys are located, tiredness, trouble making urine
nervous system problems and unusual mood or behavior depression, aggression, unsteady movements, confusion, speech problems*, hallucinations, seizures, coma
low blood cell counts tiredness, increased infections
allergic reaction rash, swollen mouth and throat, breathing problems

Are cold sores contagious?

Yes, they are! They can spread from person-to-person contact, such as kissing. You can pass cold sores to another person even if the cold sores are not visible.

What do I do in case of emergency?

Call 911.

Is my order shipped discreetly?

We ship all orders in discreet packaging via mail, with all medication placed in childproof packaging.
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