Drug Info: D: Docosanol (Topical)

In the U.S.—

• Antiviral, topical

Docosanol (doe-KOE-san-ole) belongs to the family ofmedicines called antivirals. Antivirals are used to treatinfections caused by viruses. Usually they work for only onekind or group of virus infections.

Topical docosanol is used to treat the symptoms of herpessimplex virus infections around the mouth. Although topicaldocosanol will not cure herpes simplex, it may help relievethe pain and discomfort and may help the sores (if any) healfaster.

Docosanol is available over the counter in the followingdosage form:

• Topical
• Cream (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using themedicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This isa decision you and your doctor will make. For docosanol, thefollowing should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you haveever had any unusual or allergic reaction to docosanol. Alsotell your health care professional if you are allergic to anyother substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Topical docosanol has notbeen studied in pregnant women. However, this medicine hasnot been shown to cause birth defects or other problems inanimal studies using rats or rabbits.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whetherdocosanol passes into breast milk. Although most medicinespass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may beused safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking thismedicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this withtheir doctor.

Children—Although there is no specificinformation comparing use of docosanol in children with usein other age groups , this medicine is not expected to causedifferent side effects or problems in children than it doesin adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have notbeen studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it maynot be known whether they work exactly the same way they doin younger adults or if they cause different side effects orproblems in older people. There is no specific informationcomparing use of docosanol in the elderly with use in otherage groups.

Other medicines—Although certainmedicines should not be used together at all, in other casestwo different medicines may be used together even if aninteraction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may wantto change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.Tell your health care professional if you are using any othertopical prescription or nonprescription OTC medicine that isto be applied to the same area of the skin.

Do not use this medicine in or around the eyes or on thegenitalia .

Docosanol is best used as soon as possible after thesigns and symptoms of herpes infection (for example, pain,burning, or blisters) begin to appear.

Apply the medication to the sores (blisters); rub ingently and completely.

To help clear up your herpes infection, continue using docosanol for the full time oftreatment. Do not miss any doses. However, do not use this medicine more often or for a longer timethan your health care professional or the OTC labelindicates.

Dosing—

The dose of topical docosanol can be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders. You may also follow thedirections on the label if you are 12 years of age orolder. The following information includes only theaverage dose of topical docosanol. If your dose is different, do not change it unlessyour doctor tells you to do so.

• For topical dosage form (cream):
  • Adults and adolescents:
    • Apply to the affected area(s), five times a dayuntil sore is healed.
    • Rub in gently and completely
  • Children under 12 years of age
    • Use and dosage must be determined by yourdoctor.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longerneeded. Ask your health care professional how you shoulddispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that anydiscarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause someunwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment asyour body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with yourdoctor if any of the following side effects continue or arebothersome.

• More common
  • Headache
  
  

• Less common
  • Surface problems including:; acne; burning;dryness; itching; rash ; redness ; soreness;swelling
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in somepatients. If you notice any other effects, check with yourdoctor.