Skin conditions · €25 GP review
Cold sore treatment online in Ireland
Recurrent lip cold sores. Reviewed by an Irish-registered GP — no appointment needed. A prescription is issued only if clinically appropriate.
A question about cold sores? Ask our team
Antiviral tablets work best when taken at the first tingle. If you get cold sores again and again, an Irish-registered GP can review you online and send a prescription to your pharmacy.
What it costs
€25 per request, refunded in full if the GP decides it is not safe to prescribe online.
How quickly
Reviewed the same working day for requests submitted before 5pm, Monday to Friday. Weekend requests are reviewed the next working day.
Who this is suitable for
- You are aged 18 or over and living in Ireland
- You have had cold sores on the lip before
- You want antiviral tablets or cream
- A condition or medicine that weakens your immune system
- Sores near or in the eye, or spreading across the face
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive — the GP will route you to a consultation
- Fever or feeling very unwell
What your €25 covers
- Short clinical questionnaire you can finish on your phone
- Review by an Irish-registered, IMC-listed GP
- Prescription sent securely to the pharmacy you choose
- A written note in your patient record you can download any time
What we'll ask you
6 short questions, most of them yes or no. Your answers go straight to the reviewing GP.
- When did this episode start?
- Do you have a condition or medicine that weakens your immune system?
- Are you pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive?
- Do you have any of: high fever, severe pain, breathlessness, confusion, or symptoms getting rapidly worse?
- List any drug allergies (or type 'none')
- Medicines you currently take (or type 'none')
When we'll say no
These answers stop the request and route you to a consultation instead.
- Needs a consultation.
- Prescribing in pregnancy or while breastfeeding needs a consultation.
- These symptoms need to be assessed by a doctor directly.
When to get seen in person or urgently
- Get seen the same day if a cold sore is near your eye, or your eye becomes red, painful or sensitive to light.
- Get seen in person if sores are widespread, very painful, or you have a weakened immune system or eczema.
Common questions
- Are prescription cold sore tablets better than cream?
- For frequent or severe cold sores, antiviral tablets taken early usually shorten the outbreak more than cream alone. The GP decides what suits you.
- Can I keep tablets in reserve?
- Where appropriate, the GP may prescribe a course you can start at the first sign of tingling.
- How much does an online cold sore prescription cost in Ireland?
- €25 for the GP review and prescription. Your pharmacy charges separately for the medicine. If the GP decides it is not safe to prescribe, the €25 is refunded in full.
- What happens if the GP cannot prescribe from my answers?
- You get a full refund of the €25, and the GP explains why. If a conversation would help, you can book a €39 video or phone consultation with an Irish-registered GP, usually the same day.
- Are cold sores contagious?
- Yes, from tingling until fully healed. Avoid kissing, oral sex and sharing towels or lip products, and keep away from newborn babies.
Related guides and treatments
Sources
- Cold soresHSE (Health Service Executive) — HSE health A–Z
- Herpes simplex — oral — Clinical Knowledge SummaryNICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) — NICE CKS
Start your cold sores request
€25, reviewed by an Irish-registered GP. If it isn't clinically appropriate, the GP declines and you are refunded in full.