Hi, I've been reading on this site for several months and have learned a lot, but have not commented before. I wanted to pass this on because it helped me tremendously and I sympathize with anyone who suffers with painful sores.

I developed mouth sores on my lower gum and the underside of my tongue 4 months post transplant. They are extremely uncomfortable and make it difficult to eat and sleep. The doctor advised me that mouth sores can be a side effect of both Sirolimus and Mycophenolate that I'm on and ordered Oracorte 0.1% (the tube says Triamcinolone Acetonide Dental Paste USP, 0.1%). It is a thick ointment that you dab directly onto the sores. Seems to have an analgesic effect once applied as well. Clears the sores up within a few days. Now at the first sign of a sore developing, I apply the ointment and it clears up right away.

The doctor said they're not cold sores because cold sores don't develop in the mouth, they develop on the lips or other mucous membranes. Cold sores are a form of herpes and require an antiviral like Zovirax cream/ointment or oral medication. I have a history of cold sores going back many years and surprisingly haven't developed any since being on immunosuppressants. I do have a tube of Zovirax on hand since I can recognize a cold sore if I get one and will treat accordingly.