Valtrex generic (Valacyclovir): What it is, how much it costs, and how it compares

In this article:

• What is the generic name for Valtrex?
• Is generic Valtrex the same as brand-name Valtrex?
• Uses
• Cost
• Savings
• Expert takeaway
• FAQs

In this article

• What is the generic name for Valtrex?
• Is generic Valtrex the same as brand-name Valtrex?
• Uses
• Cost
• Savings
• Expert takeaway
• FAQs

Valtrex is a brand-name antiviral used to treat several herpes virus infections, including cold sores, shingles, chickenpox, and genital herpes. But if your provider prescribed Valtrex, you may not need the brand-name version. The generic version, valacyclovir, has the same active ingredient and is considered therapeutically equivalent by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It may also cost less. Here’s how Valtrex and valacyclovir compare, including effectiveness, safety, and ways to save on your prescription. 

What is the generic name for Valtrex?

The generic name for Valtrex is valacyclovir (also called valacyclovir hydrochloride). While the FDA-approved brand-name Valtrex received initial U.S. approval in 1995, the drug was under patent protection until 2009. After the main patent expired, pharmaceutical companies received approval to create and sell generic versions in 2010. 

These generics contain the same active ingredient, and “in general clinical practice, generic valacyclovir is deemed therapeutically equivalent to Valtrex for treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and shingles and for suppressive therapy,” says Dr. Shernell Surratt-Gary, DO, clinical advisor of Aura Wellness.

Because any company can produce a generic as long as the FDA approves it, multiple pharmaceutical companies manufacture valacyclovir, while Valtrex is produced solely by GlaxoSmithKline. Both Valtrex and its generic alternatives are prescription-only medications, with no over-the-counter options available. 

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Is generic Valtrex the same as brand-name Valtrex?

The FDA has officially approved generic valacyclovir as therapeutically equivalent to brand-name Valtrex. The approval means that the generic drug has the same active ingredient, dosages, and routes of administration, as well as the same safety profile and clinical effect in the body.

There is a rigorous process to ensure this equivalence, requiring the manufacturer to demonstrate that their product performs the same as its reference drug. Even though these generics have the same active ingredients and clinical outcomes, they often contain different inactive ingredients, such as dyes, fillers, and preservatives, so generic valacyclovir may look different from Valtrex. The two medications should be interchangeable for most people, but it’s still important to consult a healthcare provider, since some people may have allergic reactions to certain inactive ingredients.

“I generally recommend the generic, since it’s typically more cost-effective,” says Dr. Maliyhah Al-Bayan, MD, an OB-GYN with Hoffman and Associates OB-GYN. “I would only consider recommending the brand name over the generic if the patient did not tolerate the generic formulation in the past or if they specifically expressed a preference for the brand name.”

What is valacyclovir used for?

Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication that’s FDA-approved to treat infections caused by the herpes virus, including genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox. “When prescribing valacyclovir to a patient, the patient’s disease process, frequency of outbreaks, renal function, immune system competency, if the individual is pregnant, and what their objectives are for therapy all must be considered,” Dr. Surratt-Gary says. Here’s how it treats each condition: 

• Genital herpes: Can reduce the duration and severity of herpes outbreaks and can suppress recurring outbreaks at a lower daily dose.
• Cold sores (oral herpes, herpes labialis): When taken early, it can shorten the duration of the cold sore by stopping the virus from spreading.
• Shingles (herpes zoster): Starting treatment within 72 hours of spotting the shingles rash can improve healing, reduce pain, and shorten the condition’s duration.
• Chickenpox (varicella): The medication can inhibit the replication of the varicella-zoster virus, reducing severity and accelerating healing.

“I prefer valacyclovir over other antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, because it has a more convenient dosing schedule (twice a day), which improves patient compliance and, in turn, increases the likelihood of treatment success,” Dr. Al-Bayan says. Just remember that valacyclovir will not cure a herpes infection. Its primary purposes are treating symptoms and reducing the risk of transmission.

How much does generic Valtrex cost?

Many people opt for generic valacyclovir over Valtrex because it’s usually much less expensive. For brand-name Valtrex, the average retail price is $512 for 30, 500 mg tablets, while generic valacyclovir averages around $210 for the same amount.

Those prices can go even lower with insurance coverage. Because generic valacyclovir is usually less expensive, insurance plans will cover it more frequently than brand-name Valtrex. If Valtrex is medically necessary, a healthcare provider can potentially submit documentation to complete prior authorization requirements and get it covered.

For people who don’t have insurance coverage, or who still have high copays even with coverage, a SingleCare discount card can reduce the cost of generic valacyclovir to as low as $11 for 30, 500 mg tablets.

How to save on Valtrex and valacyclovir

There are several ways to save on a Valtrex or valacyclovir prescription:

• Confirming insurance coverage: Ask your insurance provider whether they cover valacyclovir and/or Valtrex before beginning treatment.
• Considering alternatives: Sometimes, valacyclovir alternatives such as acyclovir (Zovirax) or famciclovir (Famvir) can be cheaper or have better insurance coverage, depending on your plan.
• Looking into patient assistance programs: Programs such as Medicaid and Medicare Extra Help can provide financial assistance to those who need help paying for medical expenses, though income requirements apply. Some third-party organizations, such as the Patient Advocacy Foundation, may also help.
• Comparing prices: “I usually advise patients to check with their insurance formulary coverage because copays may vary depending on the pharmacy as well,” Dr. Al-Bayan says. It may be worth checking prices at a few different pharmacies.
• Using a SingleCare discount card: A SingleCare discount card can bring the cost of 30, 500 mg tablets of generic valacyclovir down to as low as $11 at participating pharmacies.

Like other drug manufacturers, GlaxoSmithKline has its own patient assistance program, but unfortunately, Valtrex isn’t one of the drugs it covers.

Expert takeaway

“Valacyclvir has a simpler dosing schedule than alternatives, efficacy that is the same as brand Valtrex, and a far more affordable price, all of which explain why it is the antiviral that I prescribe the most,” explains Chad Shaffer, MD, member of the SingleCare Medical Board.

FAQs

Is generic valacyclovir just as effective as Valtrex?

Yes. Valacyclovir HCL contains the same active ingredient in the same amounts as Valtrex and works the same way in the body. While some inactive ingredients may differ, the two medications are interchangeable for most people. 

Is valacyclovir available over the counter?

No. Both brand-name Valtrex and generic valacyclovir are prescription-only medications. 

What should I avoid while taking valacyclovir?

Get medical advice from a healthcare provider if you’re already taking certain antiviral drugs, aminoglycoside antibiotics, immunosuppressants, chemotherapy drugs, live varicella vaccines, the H2 blocker cimetidine, and the anti-gout medication probenecid, since they may cause certain adverse effects and drug interactions with Valtrex. You should also avoid NSAIDs and alcohol.