docosanol

Docosanol is a saturated 22-carbon aliphatic (fatty) alcohol used as an antiviral agent for the topical treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis (cold sores or fever blisters) around the mouth. It is available over-the-counter and marketed primarily under the brand name Abreva. Docosanol works by inhibiting fusion between the plasma membrane of human cells and the envelope of herpes simplex virus (HSV), thereby preventing viral entry into host cells and subsequent replication. Unlike nucleoside analog antivirals, it does not act directly on viral DNA synthesis but instead blocks a critical step in viral infection—membrane fusion—making resistance less likely to develop. Docosanol was approved by the FDA in July 2000 for this indication[2][5][6].

Brand names

Abreva

Other names

behenyl alcohol1-docosanol