NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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Ace your North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) with our comprehensive practice test. Features include interactive flashcards, multiple-choice questions, with detailed hints and explanations. Fast-track your pharmacy career today!

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What is the recommended first-line treatment for herpes cold sores?

Docosanol (Abreva)
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Valganciclovir (Valcyte)
Ganciclovir

The correct answer is: Docosanol (Abreva)

Docosanol (Abreva) is the recommended first-line treatment for herpes cold sores because it is an over-the-counter antiviral medication that has been proven to shorten the duration of cold sore symptoms when applied at the earliest sign of an outbreak. Docosanol works by inhibiting the fusion of the herpes simplex virus with the cell membrane, preventing the virus from entering and infecting healthy cells. Acyclovir (Zovirax) is also an antiviral medication used to treat herpes infections, but it is typically reserved for more severe cases or when the cold sores do not respond to docosanol treatment. Valganciclovir (Valcyte) and Ganciclovir are not typically used to treat herpes cold sores, as they are more commonly used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.