Key takeaways
Acyclovir is a generic prescription drug for herpes infections, including chickenpox, cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles.
Without insurance, acyclovir averages $107 for 60, 400 mg tablets; Zovirax cream averages $605 for a 5-gram tube.
Ways to save include SingleCare coupons, price shopping, patient assistance programs, Medicaid, or symptom-relief alternatives.
Acyclovir is a generic prescription medication used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses. These include herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, and varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles (also called herpes zoster). Depending on the infection, acyclovir may be taken by mouth, applied to the skin, or given intravenously. The acyclovir cost will vary based on the format prescribed. Most acyclovir dosage forms are available as generics, which helps bring down the cost. Tablets, capsules, and injections tend to be moderately priced when treatment lasts a short time. Long-term treatment, generic ointments and creams, and brand-name Zovirax ointments and creams are more expensive.
RELATED: Acyclovir side effects
Is acyclovir covered by insurance?
Oral, topical, and injected acyclovir are typically covered by commercial health insurance and Medicare. Coverage, however, will depend on the insurance plan and sometimes the format. For people on Medicare, acyclovir injections may be covered by either Medicare Part B or Part D.
How much does acyclovir cost without insurance?
Pharmacy prices will vary, but the average cost of generic acyclovir tablets is $107 for 60, 400 mg tablets. Dosage and treatment duration will vary depending on the type and severity of the infection. Some infections require only two days of treatment. For other infections, acyclovir treatment may last weeks or months. For example, a prescription for 60, 400 mg acyclovir tablets is the recommended monthly treatment for herpes viral suppression, so it’s enough for 30 days of twice-daily dosing.
For lip infections, a single 5 gm tube of Zovirax (5% acyclovir cream) will typically cost $605 without insurance. The generic acyclovir cream cost without insurance will be less.
Acyclovir injections are typically billed by the healthcare provider, but the average price of a 20 mL vial (1,000 mg) of generic acyclovir sodium is $24. The number of vials needed will depend on the dose and duration of treatment.
Health insurance plans can help pay for acyclovir treatment. But the final out-of-pocket cost will depend on the type of acyclovir prescribed and the plan’s copay and deductible.
Compare acyclovir prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Acyclovir | $107 per 60, 400 mg tablets of generic acyclovir | $9 per 60, 400 mg tablets of generic acyclovir at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Acyclovir sodium injection | $24 per 20 mL of 50 mg/mL vial | $4 per 0.15, 20 mL of 50 mg/mL vial of generic acyclovir sodium at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Zovirax
(acyclovir cream) |
$605 per 5 gm tube of 5% Zovirax cream | $70 per 5 gm tube of 5% generic Zovirax cream at Publix | See latest prices |
| Valtrex
(valacyclovir) |
$512 per 30, 500 mg tablets | $11 per 30, 500 mg tablets of generic Valtrex at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Famciclovir | $247 per 21, 500 mg tablets | $24 per 21, 500 mg tablets of generic famciclovir at Kroger | See latest prices |
RELATED: Acyclovir vs. valacyclovir
How to get acyclovir without insurance
At a retail price of almost $2 per pill, generic acyclovir tablets are affordable when treatment lasts only a few days. Longer treatment or topical acyclovir without insurance may be harder to afford. Sometimes patient assistance programs or manufacturer coupons can help, but these offers are uncertain, and not everyone is eligible. There are other ways to save money on acyclovir, starting with a SingleCare savings card.
1. Use a free discount coupon from SingleCare
A free coupon from SingleCare can drop the cash price of generic acyclovir by almost 90%, to $9 for 60, 400 mg tablets at Kroger, versus $107 at full retail price. The savings can be even greater for higher-priced acyclovir cream or ointment. SingleCare is free to use and available to everyone. Registered members can save even more, and it’s fast and free to join.
RELATED: How does SingleCare work? │How do I use the SingleCare app?
2. Find local 340B providers or community clinics
340B providers and public health clinics often offer generic medications such as acyclovir at reduced prices or for free. Genital herpes is considered a sexually transmitted disease, so reproductive health clinics may be able to supply low-priced antiviral creams or ointments.
3. Shop around for the lowest price
The retail price of 60 acyclovir tablets can vary by as much as $15 depending on the pharmacy. For greater savings, compare prices with a SingleCare savings coupon, and the discount can be around $100 off the average retail price.
4. Enroll in Medicaid
If medications such as acyclovir are too hard to pay for, consider enrolling in Medicaid. Each state has a Medicaid website that outlines income eligibility, enrollment steps, and other details. Premiums are low or free, and generic medications such as acyclovir have minimal out-of-pocket costs.
5. Ask your healthcare provider about symptomatic treatment
There are no over-the-counter medications that fight the herpes virus in the same way as prescription antivirals. Still, herpes flare-ups in healthy people typically go away on their own. Antivirals don’t cure herpes. At best, they help clear the flare-up a couple of days earlier. If acyclovir is too expensive, ask a healthcare provider about symptomatic treatment instead of antiviral treatment. In some cases, antivirals may be necessary. In others, it may be possible to get symptomatic relief with inexpensive over-the-counter medications while waiting out the herpes flare-up.
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The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jul. 14, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Acyclovir tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2026)
- Herpes zoster, StatPearls (2023)
- Medicare Part B/D coverage issues, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
- Trustworthy: All of SingleCare’s content goes through a multi-phase review process by our writers, editors, and Medical Board in order to provide clear and credible information.