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Docosanol 10%
Docosanol is a long-chain saturated alcohol that inhibits viral entry and replication by interfering with the fusion of viral and cellular membranes.
Docosanol is a long-chain saturated alcohol that inhibits viral entry and replication by interfering with the fusion of viral and cellular membranes. Used for Herpes simplex labialis (cold sores) — topical treatment.
At a glance
| Generic name | Docosanol 10% |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Hadassah Medical Organization |
| Drug class | Antiviral agent |
| Target | Viral membrane fusion machinery |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Virology/Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Docosanol works by blocking the fusion process between the herpes simplex virus envelope and the host cell membrane, preventing viral entry into cells. This mechanism reduces viral replication and spread. It is thought to act as a broad-spectrum antiviral by altering membrane fluidity and preventing the virus from establishing infection.
Approved indications
- Herpes simplex labialis (cold sores) — topical treatment
Common side effects
- Application site reactions (irritation, redness)
- Headache
Key clinical trials
- Topical and Oral Regimen for Skin Health (NA)
- An Open Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of BOR15001L7 for the Treatment of Cold Sores in Patients With Recurrent Herpes Labialis (PHASE2)
- Comparison of Topical Antiviral Agents for Labial Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis) (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Docosanol 10% CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Docosanol 10% updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Hadassah Medical Organization portfolio CI