Active Ingredients: acyclovir and hydrocortisone
Inactive ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, mineral oil, Poloxamer 188, propylene glycol, isopropyl myristate, sodium lauryl sulfate, white petrolatum, citric acid, sodium hydroxide and purified water. May also contain hydrochloric acid.
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Xerese there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Xerese.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Xerese is passed in your milk to your baby.
Before you use Xerese, tell your doctor if you:
- have a weak immune system (become sick very easily). It is not known if Xerese will harm you.
- have any other medical conditions.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
No Xerese drug interactions have been identified, however, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you are receiving additional medications that are applied to the skin.
- Use Xerese exactly as directed by your doctor.
- Use Xerese early, at the first sign of a cold sore.
- Wash your hands before and after using Xerese
- Clean and dry the skin before applying Xerese.
- Spread a thin layer of Xerese on the affected area.
- Do not rub the cold sore because it may spread to other areas around your mouth, or make your cold sore worse.
- Do not cover the cold sore or area around the cold sore with a bandage.
- Do not use other skin products (such as make-up, sun screen or lip balm) or other skin medicine on the cold sore or area around the cold sore.
- Do not bathe, shower or swim until 30 minutes after applying Xerese.
- Talk to your doctor if your cold sore is not better in 2 weeks.
Xerese (generic: acyclovir/hydrocortisone) is a prescription medication used to treat cold sores. Xerese contains two medicines, acyclovir and hydrocortisone. Acyclovir, an antiviral medication, prevents the virus causing the cold sores from multiplying. Hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid, reduces inflammation, pain, swelling, redness, and itching.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Xerese will harm your unborn baby.
Overdose with Xerese is unlikely with proper use as very little of the medication is absorbed into the blood stream. If you apply too much Xerese, you may experience redness, discomfort,or drying of the skin. However, if you believe you have used too much Xerese and you have concerns, or if someone has taken it by mouth, contact your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.
The most common side effects of Xerese are:
- drying or flaking of the skin
- tingling or burning after you apply Xerese
- redness of the skin
- changes in your skin color where the cream is applied (pigmentation changes)
- swelling where Xerese was applied
- bitter taste after you apply Xerese.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Xerese. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC at 1-800-321-4576 or to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
- Store at room temperature, between 20°-25°C (68°-77°F).
- Do not freeze Xerese.
- Keep the Xerese tube closed tightly
Keep Xerese and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Xerese should not be used in eyes, mouth, nose or on genitals.
Do not use Xerese if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Xerese is a prescription medication used to treat cold sores in adults and children 12 years and older.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.