TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

XERESE (acyclovir)

DNA Polymerase Inhibitors
Infectious Disease Approved 2009-07-31

Xerese treats recurrent cold sores in adults and children six years of age and older. It is used during the early stages of an outbreak to help patients by shortening the time it takes for lesions to heal and reducing the chance that the sores will become ulcerative. This topical medication combines an antiviral agent with a corticosteroid to manage both the viral infection and the resulting inflammation.

Source: FDA Label • BAUSCH • Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor

How XERESE Works

This medication works by targeting the herpes virus with acyclovir, which inhibits the DNA polymerase enzyme to stop the virus from replicating. Simultaneously, the hydrocortisone component acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling and irritation. This dual approach helps limit the progression of the cold sore and speeds up the recovery of the skin.

2
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
1
Priority Reviews
16
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2009-07-31
Routes
TOPICAL
Dosage Forms
CREAM

Companies

Active Ingredient: ACYCLOVIR , HYDROCORTISONE

XERESE Approval History

2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
6 FDA actions from 2009 to 2019 · 1 indication expansions
Dec 2019 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Apr 2016 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)
Nov 2015 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)

What XERESE Treats

1 indications

XERESE is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2009. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Herpes Labialis
Source: FDA Label

XERESE Competitive Set

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Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

Indication competitors

2

Same indication, different mechanism — what else might this patient receive?

Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

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MACLEODS PHARMS LTD
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TORRENT
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Clinical Trial Registry

18 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT03178149 7317-CL-0003 Ph 1 recruiting A Study of the Safety and Tolerability of ASP7317 in Senior Adults Who Are Losing Their Clear, Sharp Central Vision Due to Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration
NCT05589688 ACICLOPTIM RC31/21/0610 Ph 1 recruiting Individualization of Dosage Regimens in Obese Patients: Application to Acyclovir
NCT03368664 LemKids results posted EFC13429 U1111-1180-6352, 2016-003100-30 Ph 3 terminated A Study to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Alemtuzumab in Pediatric Patients With RRMS With Disease Activity on Prior DMT
NCT06134492 HerpMV ZKSJ0153 BMBF 01KG2301 Ph 3 recruiting Acyclovir in Ventilated Patients With Pneumonia and HSV-1 in BAL
NCT02073097 results posted CASE3413 Ph 1, Ph 2 completed Carfilzomib, Rituximab, and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
NCT00495716 results posted 32545 K23AI071257-01A1 Ph 4 terminated Effect of HSV-2 Suppressive Therapy on Sexual Behavior
NCT02977533 TDU14981 2016-002415-18, U1111-1184-8607 Ph 1 completed A Single Ascending Dose Study of GZ402668 in Patients With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
NCT03831165 1215208 Ph 4 completed Melatonin Effects on Genital Herpes in Brazilian Women
NCT02151240 Focus-101 cttq-focus-101 Ph 4 completed Efficacy and Safety of Foscarnet Sodium and Sodium Chloride Injection in Patients With Herpes Zoster
NCT02583594 SCALA TDU14260 2015-002550-12, U1111-1171-7939 Ph 1 completed A Study to Characterize Subcutaneous or Intravenous Alemtuzumab in Patients With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
NCT01833143 results posted 12-222 Ph 2 completed Bortezomib in KRAS-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Never Smokers or Those With KRAS G12D
NCT00942084 results posted Pro00028772 Ph 1 completed A Study to Describe the Pharmacokinetics of Acyclovir in Premature Infants (PTN_Acyclo)
NCT02047253 results posted F130725012 (UAB 1336) Ph 2 completed Phase 2 Trial of Carfilzomib for Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Following Treatment
NCT00723229 results posted 34187-B U19AI031448 Ph 4 completed A Randomized Trial to Evaluated the Suppressive Effect of Acyclovir on Rapidly Cleared HSV-2 Reactivation
NCT02349828 NEU-SIUSM-15-001 Ph 2, Ph 3 withdrawn Antiviral Prophylaxis in a Burn Population
NCT02282826 TDU13475 2014-001591-61, U1111-1155-6252 Ph 1 completed A First-in-human, Single Ascending Dose Study of GZ402668 in Patients With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
NCT02255734 YSP-REH3002-01 Ph 4 completed Bioequivalence of Two Formulations of Acyclovir
NCT01026454 ACV-VAL results posted 37162-A Ph 4 completed Valacyclovir vs. Acyclovir as HSV-2 Suppressive Therapy: Effect on Plasma HIV-1 Levels Among HIV-1/HSV-2 Co-infected Persons
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

XERESE FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

XERESE is indicated for the treatment of Herpes Labialis.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.