Cold Sore Treatment in Holborn, London — from £4.99
Ways Pharmacy offers pharmacist advice and treatment for cold sores at our GPhC-registered pharmacy (premises number 9012227) at 77 Southampton Row, Holborn WC1 — around two minutes' walk from the British Museum. For mild cold sores, aciclovir cream from the pharmacy is often enough. For more troublesome or recurrent cold sores caught early, a pharmacist can assess whether a 5-day course of aciclovir (阿昔洛韦) tablets is suitable for you. The consultation can take place online or in person, in English or Chinese (中文).
Cold sore treatment at a glance
| Treatment options | Aciclovir 5% cream for mild cold sores; aciclovir 400mg tablets (5-day course) after a pharmacist consultation; advice on preventing spread and triggers |
|---|---|
| Price | Aciclovir cream from £4.99 · aciclovir 400mg tablets £14.99 for a 5-day course — no separate consultation fee; free online assessment, and you only pay once the pharmacist confirms treatment is suitable |
| Who it is for | Tablets: adults and young people aged 12 and over, at the tingling stage or within 48 hours of the cold sore appearing |
| How it works | Order online and speak with a pharmacist by phone or video, or walk in to our Holborn pharmacy. Under-18s can use the online service with a parent or guardian on the video call |
| Pharmacist assessment | Required for tablets. They are supplied only if the pharmacist confirms they are suitable for you |
| Where and when | 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET · Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Language | English and Chinese (中英文服务) |
Start your free online assessment or call 020 8106 7084.
Treatment options and prices
| Option | What it is | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aciclovir 5% cold sore cream, 2g | Antiviral cream applied to the cold sore. Suitable for many mild, localised cold sores. Available over the counter — ask the pharmacist if you are unsure | from £4.99 | Aciclovir 5% cream · Zovirax cream (£9.69) |
| Aciclovir 400mg tablets (15 tablets) | Antiviral tablets taken by mouth: one tablet three times a day for 5 days. May be suggested for more severe or recurrent cold sores, started early | £14.99 | Aciclovir 400mg tablets |
The cream and the tablets are different treatments. The cream works on the skin where it is applied. The tablets work throughout the body and need a pharmacist consultation, because the pharmacist must check your symptoms, medical history and medicines first. Both should be started as early as possible.
Who can use this service
- Adults and young people aged 12 and over (for under-18s, a parent or guardian joins the video call)
- Symptoms typical of a cold sore on or around the lips: tingling, burning or itching, followed by small fluid-filled blisters
- Early stage: during the tingling stage or within 48 hours of the cold sore appearing
The pharmacist takes extra care if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney problems, take other medicines, have frequent cold sores, or the cold sore appeared more than 48 hours ago.
When you should see a GP or get urgent help instead
Pharmacy tablets are not suitable, and you should see a GP or contact NHS 111, if:
- The sore is near or in your eye, or your eye becomes red, painful or sensitive to light — get help the same day
- The sores are severe, large or spread over a wide area of the face or body
- You have a weakened immune system, for example because of chemotherapy or medicines that suppress immunity
- The skin around the sore becomes red, swollen, hot or weeps pus, which may mean a bacterial infection
- You are not sure it is a cold sore
- You get frequent, severe cold sores that may need specialist treatment
- The cold sore has not started to heal within 10 days
- The person affected is a child under 12
How it works
- Start your free online assessment. Answer the health questions online and confirm your identity (upload photo ID, or show it on a video call).
- The pharmacist reviews your answers and speaks with you by phone or video to confirm whether treatment is suitable.
- If suitable, choose and pay. The pharmacist confirms which treatment is suitable; you then order and pay online (each treatment in the table above, such as aciclovir 400mg tablets, has its own page), or call 020 8106 7084. If it is not suitable, you pay nothing (or get a full refund if you have already paid) — the pharmacist explains your other options.
- We post your medicine or you collect it. Orders approved by the pharmacist before 3:00pm on a working day are posted the same day — see our shipping information for delivery options and charges. You can also collect from Holborn once your order has been approved.
You only pay once the pharmacist confirms a treatment is suitable. If you have already paid and the medicine turns out not to be suitable, the pharmacist may suggest another option or give you a full refund. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian must join the video call.
Because cold sore treatment should start early, collecting from Holborn may be quicker than waiting for delivery.
Why choose Ways Pharmacy
- Pharmacist consultation online or in person, with the option of tablets or cream depending on what suits you
- Free online assessment and no separate consultation fee — you only pay once the pharmacist confirms treatment is suitable
- Consultation and advice in Chinese (中文) or English
- GPhC-registered pharmacy (premises 9012227)
- Central London location near the British Museum, Holborn and Russell Square stations
Frequently asked questions
What causes cold sores?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). After the first infection, the virus stays in the body and can reactivate. Common triggers include stress, illness, tiredness and strong sunlight.
Should I use cream or tablets?
For a mild cold sore in one spot, aciclovir cream is often enough. Tablets may be suggested for more severe or frequently recurring cold sores. The pharmacist will recommend the option that suits you.
How do I take aciclovir tablets?
Take one 400mg tablet three times a day, spaced evenly through the day, for 5 days. Swallow it whole with water and drink plenty of fluids during the course.
How soon should I start treatment?
As early as possible — ideally when you first feel tingling, burning or itching, and within 48 hours of the cold sore appearing. Treatment started later is less likely to make a difference.
How long does a cold sore last?
Cold sores usually crust over and heal within 7 to 10 days. With treatment, many people notice improvement within 2 to 3 days. See a GP if it is not improving within 5 to 7 days or lasts longer than 10 days.
Are cold sores contagious?
Yes, especially when blisters are present. Avoid kissing and close contact, do not share towels, cups or lip products, avoid touching the sore, and wash your hands after applying cream.
What are the side effects of aciclovir tablets?
Possible side effects include nausea, headache, stomach upset and dizziness. Stop taking them and seek medical advice if you develop a rash, swelling or any severe or unusual symptoms.
Can I stop cold sores coming back?
You cannot remove the virus, but lip balm with sun protection and avoiding known triggers may help. If you get frequent, severe cold sores, speak to your GP.
Is this an NHS service?
No. Ways Pharmacy Holborn is a private pharmacy and does not provide NHS services.
Related services: impetigo treatment · conjunctivitis treatment · sore throat treatment
Suspected side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
This page gives factual information about pharmacy services and medicines. Any medicine is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.
Ways Pharmacy
77 Southampton Row, Holborn, London WC1B 4ET
Telephone: 020 8106 7084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am–6:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday
Around 2 minutes' walk from the British Museum, near Holborn station
GPhC-registered pharmacy premises: 9012227 · About Ways Pharmacy
