GP refusing to give prescription

[Brenda23]

Hi everyone,

Hoping someone can give me some advice. My 10 year old DD caught cold sores from one of her friends (not sure which one), and since then gets them monthly, which is really upsetting her.

I spoke to the GP to get medication to help reduce it and she says it’s not licensed for her age. The normal Zovirax stuff hasn’t been working and she’s gets lots around her mouth and nose.

I was reading online that GPs can prescribe ‘off label’ which means they can give prescriptions for medicine where the benefits outweigh any risks.

Does anyone have any experience of getting medicine off label or what I can do? I don’t know if I’ll have the same problem if I go and see a private GP.

@IwillrunIwillfly

Thanks for the advice, really helpful.

There’s a lot you can do with diet. Lysine and arginine work in tandem; when one is high the other is low. So avoiding high arginine foods such as nuts and milk chocolate can help. Definitely avoid Nutella.

I looked at getting aciclovir orally for prevention and I believe you have to take the tablets 5 times per day - at least that’s what my GP said at that time. That could be pretty difficult for a 10 year old I would think!

I have found peppermint tea to be really helpful, and avoiding acidic foods like tomato based sauces.

There’s a lot you can do with diet. Lysine and arginine work in tandem; when one is high the other is low. So avoiding high arginine foods such as nuts and milk chocolate can help. Definitely avoid Nutella.

I would absolutely be wanting investigation for problems with her immune system. This is what the gp should be taking seriously.

Not sure of the age range, have you looked at Superdrug for Aciclover?onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/cold-sores.html