Docosanol (Topical)
Brand Names : Abreva
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.
This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For docosanol, the following
should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to docosanol. Also tell your health care professional
if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy - Topical docosanol has not been studied in pregnant
women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or
other problems in animal studies using rats or rabbits.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether docosanol passes into
breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,
many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking
this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children - Although there is no specific information comparing
use of docosanol in children with use in other age groups , this medicine
is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than
it does in adults.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of docosanol in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription
OTC medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.
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