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How long does Acyclovir Buccal take to work?

Updated Sep 7, 20261 min readAnswer
On this pageShort answer How to use acyclovir buccal tablets Common questions Related questions Sources
Short answer

**Acyclovir buccal releases medicine as it dissolves, but your cold sore still takes days to heal.**

You should apply it within 1 hour of your first tingling, itching, or burning, before a sore appears. In the FDA labeling trial, cold sore episodes were about half a day shorter with treatment than with placebo. There is no established hour when you should first feel relief. This prescription treatment is for recurring cold sores in adults with normal immune systems.

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How to use acyclovir buccal tablets

1**Start promptly:**Apply your prescribed tablet within 1 hour of your first symptoms.
2**Let it dissolve:**Do not chew, crush, suck, or deliberately swallow the tablet.
3**Keep hands clean:**Wash your hands before and after touching your cold sore.
4**Avoid close contact:**Avoid kissing and oral sex until your cold sore has completely healed.
5**Check persistent sores:**Contact a clinician if your sore has not started healing within 10 days.

Common questions

How long does Acyclovir Buccal take to work?

Acyclovir buccal (Sitavig) releases antiviral medicine as the tablet dissolves on your upper gum, but it does not provide instant relief. Healing still takes days: in the FDA labeling trial, treatment shortened cold sore episodes by about half a day compared with placebo. Apply your prescribed single 50 mg tablet within 1 hour of the first tingling or burning, before a sore appears. Leave it in place to dissolve. Contact a clinician if your sore has not started healing within 10 days, is very large or painful, or you have a weakened immune system.

About this page. Written and maintained by the Pymander Health team. Last updated September 7, 2026.

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