Quick answers
- What is Glycerin and lidocaine used for?
- The Drug Facts label of Cold Sore Fast-Acting Pain Relief (Blistex Inc.) lists these uses: for the temporary relief of pain and itching associated with fever blisters and cold sores relieves dryness and softens cold sores and fever blisters softens crusts (scabs) associated with cold sores and fever blisters temporarily protects chapped or cracked lips.
- Do I need a prescription for Glycerin and lidocaine?
- No. The products on this page are sold without a prescription (over the counter).
- Is a store brand the same as the name brand?
- Products listed together below have the same active ingredients, in the same amount and the same form, as registered with the FDA. Inactive ingredients (such as colors, flavors and fillers) and package sizes can differ. Compare the “Active ingredient” box on both packages, and ask a pharmacist if you are not sure.
- Has Glycerin and lidocaine been recalled?
- No recall linked to these products appears in the FDA enforcement reports we use.
Drug Facts label
Every over-the-counter medicine must carry a “Drug Facts” box in the same order, set by FDA rules. Below is the label of one product for each common strength and form, quoted word for word. Your own package can differ (for example, children’s products have other directions): always follow the label on your package.
Cold Sore Fast-Acting Pain Relief · Blistex Inc.
Glycerin 20% · Lidocaine 4%, gel (topical)
Active ingredient
Purpose Lidocaine 4.0% (w/w) External analgesic Glycerin 20% (w/w) Lip protectant
Purpose
Active ingredients Purpose Lidocaine 4.0% (w/w) External analgesic Glycerin 20% (w/w) Lip protectant
Uses
for the temporary relief of pain and itching associated with fever blisters and cold sores relieves dryness and softens cold sores and fever blisters softens crusts (scabs) associated with cold sores and fever blisters temporarily protects chapped or cracked lips
Warnings
For external use only
Do not use
in large quantities, particularly over raw surfaces or blistered areas
When using this product
do not get into eyes
Stop use and ask a doctor if
condition worsens symptoms last more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days
Keep out of reach of children
If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Directions
adults and children 2 years of age and older: apply to affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily children under 2 years of age: do not use, consult a doctor
Inactive ingredients
citric acid, disodium EDTA, ethylhexylglycerin, hydroxyethylcellulose, menthol, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, propylene glycol, purified water
— FDA label of Cold Sore Fast-Acting Pain Relief, Blistex Inc., effective July 22, 2025. See the official label on DailyMed →
Recticare · Ferndale Laboratories, Inc.
Glycerin 20% · Lidocaine 5%, cloth (topical)
Active ingredient
Lidocaine 5% w/w Glycerin 20% w/w
Purpose
Lidocaine 5% w/w........................................Local anesthetic Glycerin 20% w/w.........................................Protectant
Uses
helps relieve the pain, itching and burning associated with anorectal disorders temporarily provides a coating for relief of anorectal discomforts temporarily protects irritated and inflamed perianal skin
Warnings
Do not exceed the recommended daily dosage unless directed by a doctor put this product into the rectum by using fingers or any mechanical device or applicator
Keep out of reach of children
If swallowed, seek medical attention or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Directions
when practical, cleanse the affected area with mild soap and warm water and rinse thoroghly gently apply wipe to the affected area by patting and then discard adults and children 12 years & older: apply up to 6 times daily - or after each bowel movement children under 12 years: consult a doctor
Inactive ingredients
benzyl alcohol, citric acid, purified water
Questions?
Stop use and ask a doctor if an allergic reaction develops condition worsens or does not improve witin 7 days redness, irriation, swelling, pain or other symptoms begin or increase bleeding occurs
— FDA label of Recticare, Ferndale Laboratories, Inc., effective December 17, 2024. See the official label on DailyMed →
ABREVA Rapid Pain Relief · Haleon US Holdings LLC
Glycerin 20% · Lidocaine hydrochloride 4%, gel (topical)
Active ingredient
Glycerin 20% Lidocaine HCl 4%
Purpose
Lip Protectant External Analgesic
Uses
for the temporary relief of pain and itching associated with cold sores and fever blisters Relieves dryness and softens cold sores and fever blisters Softens crust (scabs) associated with cold sores and fever blisters
Warnings
For external use only
Do not use
in large quantities, particularly over raw surfaces, or blistered areas
When using this product
do not get into eyes
Stop use and ask a doctor if
condition worsens symptoms last more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days
Keep out of reach of children
If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Directions
push and turn cap to open, close tightly after use wash hands before and after applying adults and children 12 years of age and older : apply to affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily children under 12 years : consult a doctor
Inactive ingredients
edetate disodium, hydroxyethyl cellulose, menthol, methylparaben, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, propylparaben, trisodium citrate dihydrate, water
Questions?
1-877-709-3539
— FDA label of ABREVA Rapid Pain Relief, Haleon US Holdings LLC, effective June 20, 2024. See the official label on DailyMed →
This page is not medical advice. Read the label on your package, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure a medicine is right for you, for your child, or with your other medicines.
Same medicine, other brands
Each group lists the products that have exactly the same active ingredients, in the same amount and form, as registered with the FDA (NDC Directory). A store brand in the same group has the same medicine as the name brand; inactive ingredients, flavors and package sizes can differ. Each product links to its own official label.
Glycerin 20% · Lidocaine 4% · gel (topical) · 1 product
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Sore Fast-Acting Pain Relief | Blistex Inc. | DailyMed |
Glycerin 20% · Lidocaine 5% · cloth (topical) · 1 product
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Recticare | Ferndale Laboratories, Inc. | DailyMed |
Glycerin 20% · Lidocaine hydrochloride 4% · gel (topical) · 1 product
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| ABREVA Rapid Pain Relief | Haleon US Holdings LLC | DailyMed |
Companies that sell this medicine
The company named on the package (maker or distributor), as listed in the FDA NDC Directory, with its number of over-the-counter products of this medicine.
- Blistex Inc.1 product
- Ferndale Laboratories, Inc.1 product
- Haleon US Holdings LLC1 product
Recalls
No recall linked to these products (by their NDC code or label) appears in the FDA enforcement reports.
Next steps
- Find a pharmacy near youA pharmacist can answer questions about this label
- Latest FDA drug recallsPrescription and over-the-counter, newest first
- All over-the-counter medicinesSearch by ingredient, brand or Spanish name
Sources
- Drug labeling (SPL, openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- NDC Directory (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- Drug recall enforcement reports (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 27, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- FDA rule for the Drug Facts label (21 CFR 201.66)
Only medicines marketed under FDA rules for nonprescription drugs (an FDA monograph or an FDA approval) are listed. Homeopathic products are not listed: the FDA does not evaluate them for safety or effectiveness.