(Adults and Children ≥12 yr): Apply small amount 5 times daily to sores on lips or face until healed.
Availability⬆⬇
(Generic available)
Cream: 10%OTC
Assessment⬆⬇
Assess skin lesions prior to and periodically during therapy.
Implementation⬆⬇
Apply cream to lesions 5 times daily starting at first sign of a sore or blister.
Patient/Family Teaching⬆⬇
Instruct patient on correct technique for application of docosanol. Cream should only be applied to lips and face. Avoid application in or near eyes. Emphasize handwashing following application, or touching lesions to prevent spread to others or to other areas of the body.
Advise patient to begin application of docosanol at first sign of a sore or blister, even during prodromal stage (feeling of burning, itching, tingling, numbness).
Inform patient that docosanol reduces duration of herpes simplex virus episodes but does not cure the virus. Viral reactivation may be triggered by ultraviolet radiation or sun exposure, stress, fatigue, chilling, and windburn. Other possible triggers include fever, injury, menstruation, dental work, and infectious diseases (cold, flu).
Advise females of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.
Advise patient to notify health care professional if lesions do not heal in 14 days or if fever, rash, or swollen lymph nodes occur.
Evaluation/Desired Outcomes⬆⬇
Reduction in duration of symptoms (pain, burning, itching, tingling) of herpes simplex virus episodes.
