I have tried everything - from over the counter items to prescriptions that cost a ton of money. Nothing works better than Abreeva. I agree that used at the very onset of a cold sore it works best. But for me, it works well even after the cold sore has become full blown. My cold sores come up right under my nose, so I have now begun to dab a little bit of Abreeva on that area about once a week - just as a preventative measure.

This stuff works... I recently started to feel a cold sore coming on and didn't have any Abreva handy. Needless to say, by the time I woke up the next morning it was there, and was too late to really do anything to help. Well within a few days I felt another "tingle" on my lip, right next to the cold sore that was already there. I literally RAN to the store and bought Abreva. I immediately applied it to my lip and continud to apply it 5+ times a day. That was 3 days ago, and it's made a huge difference. The cold sore still formed but it's TINY and is nearly healed. The cold sore I neglected to treat early is still there, over a week later. I'll be keeping a tube of this stuff handy at all times from now on. IT WORKS!!

When used at the onset of an outbreak and regularly for the first few days, Abreva really does shorten the duration of the cold sore. It also relieves the pain and swelling.

Based on my experiences with Abreva (may vary with others): It ONLY works at the first oncoming sign of the tingling/burning sensation. It completely prevents the coldsore from growing so its like I never had one in the first place. Sometimes if I dont get to the Abreva quick enough and the very first stage where the tingling turns into a tiny little bubble still, the Abreva will prevent it from getting any larger. At that point, itll heal within 3 days. Abreva wont work once your tingling turns into a full blown gross and huge bubbly coldsore. Once it reaches that stage it is too late and you're probably stuck with it for the whole 3-4 weeks. ALWAYS have a tube on hand and apply it at the VERY FIRST SIGN OF TINGLING before it even bubbles. It will completely stop the growth and nothing what so ever will show. I would be miserable without this stuff.

When I first tried this product my sore was gone in about a day, (I used right the way when i felt something was wrong with my lip). Next time It did not work at all. Third time it worked but not as great, but it did make it heal faster. IT WORKS BUT NOT FOR EVERYONE AND NOT ALL THE TIME. (Wny? no clue)

I've used this product in the past when I've gotten cold sores.. seemed to work well though very expensive.. at least the tube had a very small opening which released the appropriate amount.. NOW TUBE IS REDESIGNED TO WASTE the product IT IS ALSO WAY OVER PACKAGED AND IT IS NO LONGER MADE IN THE US.. very disappointed.. do not recommend

The aluminum tube wastes the expensive product. If you carry it in a pocket or purse, pressure builds and when you open the product it overflows in a sticky mess. Not that it matters anyway because this product doesn't accomplish much. I'm convinced the positive reviews are due to a placebo affect. I recently read the product was involved in a class action lawsuit for making misleading claims about decreasing healing time...

I don't get cold sores very often, but when I feel that tingle I immediately start using Abreva. I've actually prevented an outbreak by using the product, and I use it more than 5 times a day. It's amazing stuff! Unfortunately, it IS very expensive, but well worth it IMO if it prevents those horrible blisters that take weeks to heal. Love it!

Like many other reviewers, I began to think Abreva just wasn't working. Then I read the directions - thoroughly. I had been applying it directly to the cold sore rather than to the areas around the cold sore. When I used it as directed, it was extremely effective and contained the cold sore so it did not grow larger. You have to use it immediately. Rub it into a large surrounding area and do this as frequently as directed. I kept it by my bedside so I could use it during the night.

My new to middle school daughter developed this "sores" on the corner of her mouth on saturday. Sunday afternoon we went out to purchase this and by Monday morning the "sores" were scabbing and peeling off. By Tuesday it looks as if she has a small scratch on her face. This is a big miracle in a little bottle. This medicine worked so fast it saved her from the embarrassment of having other kids stare and make fun of her, which was a major concern for me. Thanks Abreva!!!