Also for those who're having an outbreak then take heed to the L-Arginine to L-Lysine ratio in your food plan you'll be able to look online for charts with the ratio of L-Lysine to L-Arginine in different meals. I do know that I have not had a cold sore since taking these. I've been taking a distinct lysine product (one thousand mg daily). This is THE ONLY lysine product I use on a regular basis