How long does Acyclovir Buccal take to work?
Last updated September 7, 2026.
**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.
What to do
- **Start promptly:** Apply your prescribed tablet within 1 hour of your first symptoms.
- **Let it dissolve:** Do not chew, crush, suck, or deliberately swallow the tablet.
- **Keep hands clean:** Wash your hands before and after touching your cold sore.
- **Avoid close contact:** Avoid kissing and oral sex until your cold sore has completely healed.
- **Check persistent sores:** Contact a clinician if your sore has not started healing within 10 days.
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