Docosyl Alcohol

Uses

Docosyl Alcohol cream is used for the topical treatment of acute and recurrent oral-facial Herpes simplex episodes (Herpes labialis or cold sores or fever blisters).

Docosyl Alcohol is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Cold Sore

How Docosyl Alcohol works

Docosyl Alcohol works by inhibiting fusion between the human cell plasma membrane and the herpes simplex virus (HSV) envelope, thereby preventing viral entry into cells and subsequent viral replication. Unlike other cold-sore antivirals, docosanol does not act directly on the virus, and as such it is unlikely it will produce drug resistant mutants of HSV.

Dosage

Docosyl Alcohol dosage

Adults and Children of 12 years of age and older: Apply 5 times a day until healed. Treatment should be begun at earliest signs or symptoms of herpes infection (Blisters, open sores, pain in the infected area, itching, burning, tingling or numbness).

Side Effects

Generally Docosyl Alcohol is well tolerated. Rarely burning, dryness of skin, itching, rash, swelling & headache are seen after administration of Docosyl Alcohol.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include headache, abdominal pain, increased serum lipase, nausea, dyspepsia, dizziness, and hyperbilirubinemia.

Precaution

Cream should only be applied to lips and face. Avoid application in or near the eyes. Emphasize hand washing following application. Do not touch the lesion to prevent spread to others or to other parts of the body.

Herpes infection is a recurring disease. Viral reactivation may be triggered by ultraviolet radiation or sun exposure, stress, fatigue, chilling. Other possible triggers include fever, injury, menstruation, dental work and infectious diseases (cold, flu).

Patients are advised to notify health care professionals if lesions do not heal in 14 days or if fever, rash or swollen lymph nodes occur.

Food Interaction

Elimination Route

Topical absorption has been shown to be minimal under conditions reflecting normal clinical use.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies using rats or rabbits.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether Docosyl Alcohol is excreted in breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in breast milk, consideration should be given to discontinue nursing temporarily or withhold the drug while the mother is nursing.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity to Docosyl Alcohol or any other components of the formulation.

Acute Overdose

No instance of accidental ingestion of Docosyl Alcohol has been reported. If ingested, gastric lavage and general supportive measures should be employed.

Innovators Monograph

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