{"id":3693,"date":"2019-02-21T13:29:37","date_gmt":"2019-02-21T18:29:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=3693"},"modified":"2025-12-18T11:45:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T16:45:51","slug":"acyclovir-vs-valacyclovir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/acyclovir-vs-valacyclovir\/","title":{"rendered":"Acyclovir vs. valacyclovir: Differences and similarities explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Herpes simplex virus<\/span><\/a> (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are viral infections that can last a lifetime. HSV-1 most often shows up as cold sores or eye infections, while HSV-2 is typically associated with genital lesions. VZV is the virus behind chickenpox and, later in life, shingles when it reactivates. <\/span>Acyclovir<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>valacyclovir<\/span><\/a> are two commonly prescribed <\/span>antiviral drugs<\/span><\/a> for these infections. They work by stopping the virus from multiplying, which helps shorten outbreaks and prevent flare-ups. Although they work in similar ways, they’re not identical.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare the main differences between acyclovir and valacyclovir<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Difference<\/strong><\/td>\nAcyclovir<\/b><\/td>\nValacyclovir<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nAntiviral<\/span><\/td>\nAntiviral<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the brand name?<\/b><\/td>\nZovirax, Sitavig<\/span><\/td>\nValtrex<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nTopical cream and ointment, ophthalmic ointment, solution for injection, oral capsule, oral tablet, buccal tablet, and oral suspension<\/span><\/td>\nOral tablet<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nHerpes zoster: 800 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Genital herpes (initial episode): 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Dosage may vary based on the condition being treated.<\/span><\/td>\n

Herpes zoster: 1 g 3 times daily for 7 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Genital herpes (initial episode): 1 g twice daily for 10 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Dosage may vary based on the condition being treated.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nAcute treatment: 5\u201310 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Suppressive therapy: long-term<\/span><\/td>\n

Acute treatment: 1\u201310 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Suppressive therapy: long-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children 2 and older, depending on the condition being treated<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 2 and older, depending on the condition being treated<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the main differences between acyclovir and valacyclovir?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Acyclovir and valacyclovir are both generic antiviral drugs that work by blocking viral replication. However, their main differences lie in how they\u2019re absorbed and how often they must be taken.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Acyclovir<\/span><\/a>, known by the brand names Zovirax and Sitavig, has generally poor oral bioavailability or absorption into the body. That means it often needs to be taken several times per day. However, it\u2019s available in more <\/span>dosage forms<\/span><\/a> than valacyclovir, such as an oral tablet, cream, ointment, and oral suspension.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Valacyclovir<\/span><\/a>, known by the brand name Valtrex, is a prodrug of acyclovir. In other words, it\u2019s converted into acyclovir as its active form in the body. Valacyclovir comes as an oral tablet that is absorbed better than acyclovir and may have more convenient dosing schedules, with tablets that can be taken once or twice daily. For many people, valacyclovir works better and faster to manage HSV and VZV infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Conditions treated by acyclovir and valacyclovir<\/span><\/h2>\n

Acyclovir and valacyclovir are both approved to treat infections caused by the herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus. They can manage common conditions like <\/span>cold sores<\/span><\/a> (oral herpes), genital herpes, chickenpox, and shingles. Both medications can also be used long-term to help prevent recurrent outbreaks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acyclovir and valacyclovir may also be used for off-label purposes, or uses beyond what they\u2019re approved for, based on clinical studies. For example, acyclovir is sometimes used for <\/span>complications of shingles<\/span><\/a>, like nerve inflammation (myelopathy) or more serious infections that spread inside the body. Valacyclovir may be used off-label to treat <\/span>acute retinal necrosis<\/span><\/a>, a serious eye infection that can affect vision.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Acyclovir vs. valacyclovir: Compare conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nAcyclovir<\/b><\/td>\nValacyclovir<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chickenpox\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shingles\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Genital herpes<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cold sores<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neonatal HSV<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Severe HSV infections in hospital settings<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is acyclovir or valacyclovir more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both acyclovir and valacyclovir are effective antiviral treatments. According to one large randomized trial of first-episode genital herpes, valacyclovir (1,000 mg twice daily) and acyclovir (200 mg five times daily) showed <\/span>no significant difference<\/span><\/a> in time to healing, pain duration, or viral shedding. However, valacyclovir was noted to have a more convenient dosing schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n

A larger network meta-analysis that reviewed 17 trials on shingles-related pain found that antiviral medications vary in how well they help with pain over time. While famciclovir ranked highest for preventing long-term nerve pain, valacyclovir <\/span>ranked first<\/span><\/a> in reducing pain 28 to 30 days after the shingles rash began. While all oral antivirals were well-tolerated, valacyclovir was found to be one of the more effective short-term options.<\/span><\/p>\n

Valacyclovir may have an advantage over acyclovir in terms of convenience and potential effectiveness for shingles-related pain, but the best medication isn\u2019t always black and white. A healthcare provider can help determine the best option based on a person\u2019s overall condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Insurance coverage and cost of acyclovir vs. valacyclovir<\/span><\/h2>\n

Acyclovir is a prescription medication covered by most commercial and Medicare insurance plans. The out-of-pocket price for acyclovir costs an average of $102 without insurance, but with an <\/span>acyclovir coupon<\/span><\/a> from SingleCare, you could pay less than $10 at participating pharmacies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Valacyclovir is also covered by most commercial and Medicare plans. However, it costs more than acyclovir, at an average retail price of $211 without insurance. However, a coupon from SingleCare could lower the price of <\/span>valacyclovir<\/span><\/a> to about $11.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Acyclovir vs. valacyclovir: Compare coverage and cost\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Coverage<\/b><\/td>\nAcyclovir<\/b><\/td>\nValacyclovir<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n60, 400 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n30, 500 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical Medicare copay<\/b><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\n$9 for generic acyclovir at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n$11 for generic valacyclovir at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How to save<\/b><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Dec. 18, 2025. Click the link under \u201cGet coupon\u201d to see the latest drug prices.<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

Common side effects of acyclovir vs. valacyclovir<\/span><\/h2>\n

Acyclovir and valacyclovir have similar side effects since valacyclovir is converted into acyclovir in the body. Most side effects are mild and temporary. They usually go away as the body gets used to the medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common side effects of acyclovir<\/span><\/a> and valacyclovir include:<\/span><\/p>\n