What are some over the counter antiviral medications?
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4 min read
While most potent antiviral medications require a prescription, a 2018 review noted that a topical cream containing docosanol can be a marginally more effective over the counter antiviral medication than a placebo for treating cold sores. This topical cream is the only FDA-approved, non-prescription product that directly inhibits viral replication. For other common viral infections like the flu or COVID-19, over-the-counter products are only available for symptom management, not for fighting the virus itself.
