Does Super Lysine Plus work for cold sores?

Super Lysine Plus is an over-the-counter medication used to treat cold sores, according to WebMD. The drug works by reducing the replication rate of the virus that is responsible for the cold sores.

There is no conclusive evidence to show that Super Lysine Plus is more effective in treating cold sores than other over-the-counter alternatives. However, being an amino acid, lysine interacts with the virus, effectively preventing it from further replication. The sores then reduce in size and eventually disappear. To avoid complications resulting from medication reactions, speaking with a doctor before taking the drug is recommended. The drug is taken orally or applied directly to the skin.