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Acyclovir

Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat herpes simplex infections (cold sores, genital herpes, eye infections), shingles and chickenpox, depending on the product.

Brand names SitavigZovirax CapsulesZovirax TabletsZoviraxAvaclyr
Drug classes Dna Polymerase Inhibitors
Rx Forms 7
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 172 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

How we combine label and product data →
✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 2, 2026 🚨Recall on record
Other forms & routes:
Injection Ophthalmic Topical
Acyclovir at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written
Acyclovir is a well-established antiviral for herpes simplex infections, shingles and chickenpox, and the right form depends on what is being treated. Starting early, staying hydrated and following your prescriber’s directions matter. Report confusion, seizures or reduced urination right away.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asTablet, Capsule, Topical cream, ointment or gel +4
On the market since1982
Companies that make it119
FDA label last updatedJun 11, 2020
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide — a plain-language walkthrough of Acyclovir, written from its FDA label.

What Acyclovir is used for

▾

Acyclovir is used for several herpes-family infections. Uses depend on the product.

  • Oral acyclovir (capsule, tablet, suspension): shingles, first episodes and recurrences of genital herpes, and chickenpox.
  • Valacyclovir tablets: cold sores and genital herpes in adults.
  • Acyclovir injection (IV): herpes simplex infections in people with weakened immune systems, severe first genital herpes episodes, herpes simplex encephalitis, neonatal herpes, and shingles in people with weakened immune systems.
  • Zovirax or acyclovir cream: recurrent cold sores in adults and adolescents 12 and older with healthy immune systems.
  • Acyclovir or Zovirax ointment: first genital herpes and limited skin and mucous membrane herpes in people with weakened immune systems.
  • Avaclyr eye ointment: acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers).
  • Sitavig buccal tablet: recurrent cold sores in adults with healthy immune systems.

How Acyclovir works

▾

Acyclovir is an antiviral active against α-herpesviruses. Several products are described as herpes simplex virus nucleoside analog DNA polymerase inhibitors. They block an enzyme the virus uses to copy its DNA, which slows the virus from multiplying.

Acyclovir dosage

▾

Each form is used differently, so follow your own product’s label and your prescriber.

  • Oral acyclovir is taken by mouth, often several times a day, and some uses are short courses.
  • Valacyclovir tablets can be taken with or without food.
  • Zovirax Cream and Zovirax Ointment are applied several times daily for a set number of days.
  • Avaclyr is applied to the eye several times a day.
  • Sitavig is a single tablet stuck to the upper gum.
  • Acyclovir injection is given by a healthcare professional as a slow IV infusion.

Starting early after symptoms begin is emphasized for many products.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Acyclovir prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis), adults (valacyclovir tablets)
    • 2 grams twice daily for 1 day taken 12 hours apart
    • Initiate at the earliest symptom of a cold sore
  • Genital Herpes, initial episode (valacyclovir tablets)
    • 1 gram twice daily for 10 days
    • Most effective when administered within 48 hours of onset of signs and symptoms
  • Genital Herpes, recurrent episodes (valacyclovir tablets)
    • 500 mg twice daily for 3 days
    • Initiate at the first sign or symptom of an episode
  • Genital Herpes, chronic suppressive therapy (valacyclovir tablets)
    • 1 gram once daily in patients with normal immune function
    • Alternative dose 500 mg once daily in patients with a history of 9 or fewer recurrences per year
    • 500 mg twice daily in HIV-infected patients with CD4+ cell count ≥100 cells/mm3
  • Herpes Zoster (valacyclovir tablets)
    • 1 gram 3 times daily for 7 days
    • Most effective when started within 48 hours of onset of rash
  • Herpes labialis, Sitavig 50 mg buccal tablet
    • One 50 mg buccal tablet applied as a single dose to the upper gum (canine fossa)
    • Apply within one hour after onset of prodromal symptoms and before any signs of herpes labialis lesions appear
  • Zovirax ointment (topical)
    • Apply sufficient quantity to cover all lesions every 3 hours, 6 times per day for 7 days
    • Approximately a one-half inch ribbon of ointment per 4 square inches of surface area
  • Herpes labialis, Zovirax cream (topical)
    • Apply 5 times per day for 4 days
    • Adolescents 12 years and older: same dosage as adults
  • Corneal ulcer, Avaclyr ophthalmic ointment
    • 1 cm ribbon in the lower cul-de-sac of the affected eye 5 times per day until the ulcer heals, then 3 times per day for 7 days
  • Intravenous acyclovir, mucosal and cutaneous herpes simplex in immunocompromised patients
    • Adults and adolescents 12 years and older: 5 mg/kg over 1 hour every 8 hours for 7 days
    • Under 12 years: 10 mg/kg over 1 hour every 8 hours for 7 days
    • Maximum: A dose equivalent to 20 mg/kg every 8 hours should not be exceeded
    • Obese patients dosed using Ideal Body Weight; interval adjusted for renal impairment
Read the label’s full dosing text

Valacyclovir tablets may be given without regard to meals. Valacyclovir oral suspension (25 mg/mL or 50 mg/mL) may be prepared extemporaneously from valacyclovir tablets 500 mg for use in pediatric patients for whom a solid dosage form is not appropriate [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.3)]. 2.1 Adult Dosing Recommendations Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis): The recommended dosage of valacyclovir tablets for treatment of cold sores is 2 grams twice daily for 1 day taken 12 hours apart. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest symptom of a cold sore (e.g., tingling, itching, or burning). Genital Herpes: Initial Episode: The recommended dosage of valacyclovir tablets for treatment of initial genital herpes is 1 gram twice daily for 10 days. Therapy was most effective when administered within 48 hours of the onset of signs and symptoms. Recurrent Episodes: The recommended dosage of valacyclovir tablets for treatment of recurrent genital herpes is 500 mg twice daily for 3 days. Initiate treatment at the first sign or symptom of an episode. Suppressive Therapy: The recommended dosage of valacyclovir tablets for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent genital herpes is 1 gram once daily in patients with normal immune function. In patients with a history of 9 or fewer recurrences per year, an alternative dose is 500 mg once daily. In HIV‑infected patients with a CD4+ cell count ≥100 cells/mm3, the recommended dosage of valacyclovir tablets for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent genital herpes is 500 mg twice daily. Reduction of Transmission: The recommended dosage of valacyclovir tablets for reduction of transmission of genital herpes in patients with a history of 9 or fewer recurrences per year is 500 mg once daily for the source partner. Herpes Zoster: The recommended dosage of valacyclovir tablets for treatment of herpes zoster is 1 gram 3 times daily for 7 days. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest sign or symptom of herpes zoster and is most effective when started within 48 hours of the onset of rash. 2.2 Pediatric Dosing Recommendations Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis): The recommended dosage of valacyclovir tablets for the treatment of cold sores in pediatric patients ≥12 years of age is 2 grams twice daily for 1 day taken 12 hours apart. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest symptom of a cold sore (e.g., tingling, itching, or burning).

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Acyclovir side effects

▾

Common side effects

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal (belly) pain
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Rash

When to get medical help

  • Call your doctor right away if you have confusion, agitation, hallucinations, seizures or unusual drowsiness.
  • Get medical help if you pass much less urine than usual or notice signs of kidney problems.
  • Seek urgent care for signs of a blood-clotting and blood-cell problem (TTP/HUS), especially if you have advanced HIV or a transplant.
  • Get help right away for any signs of an allergic reaction to acyclovir or valacyclovir.

The most common side effects reported with valacyclovir, which is converted to acyclovir in the body, include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Rash

Call your doctor about confusion, hallucinations, seizures, reduced urination or signs of an allergic reaction.

Acyclovir warnings and precautions

▾
  • Kidney injury: Kidney failure has been reported, sometimes fatal with the IV form. Risk is higher in older adults, in people with kidney disease, with other kidney-harming drugs and with dehydration. Stay well hydrated.
  • Nervous system effects: Agitation, hallucinations, confusion, delirium, seizures and encephalopathy (brain dysfunction) have occurred, most often in older adults and when the dose is too high for kidney function.
  • TTP/HUS: This blood-clotting and kidney disorder has caused death, mainly in people with advanced HIV, transplant recipients and immunocompromised people.
  • IV safety: The IV form must be given only into a vein, slowly over at least 1 hour.

Acyclovir interactions

▾

The label gives few specific interactions.

  • Kidney-harming (nephrotoxic) drugs: Using them together can raise the risk of kidney injury.
  • Acyclovir cream: No interactions have been identified because very little is absorbed into the body.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Acyclovir prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Other drugs (topical or systemic) used with Acyclovir Cream: Clinical experience has identified no interactions; systemic drug interactions are unlikely due to minimal systemic absorption.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No interaction studies have been performed with SITAVIG. Acyclovir is primarily eliminated unchanged in the urine via active tubular secretion. Drugs administered concomitantly that compete with tubular secretion may increase acyclovir plasma concentrations. However, due to the low dose and minimal systemic absorption of SITAVIG, systemic drug interactions are unlikely. Due to the low dose and minimal systemic absorption of SITAVIG, drug interactions are unlikely ( 7 )

Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿37 supplements and herbs with documented Acyclovir interactions, ranked by severity Check Acyclovir against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Acyclovir

▾
  • Do not use acyclovir cream if you are allergic to acyclovir, valacyclovir or any ingredient in it.
  • Tell your prescriber about kidney disease, since doses are reduced with kidney impairment.
  • Older adults need extra caution because of kidney and nervous system risks.
  • Pregnancy: registry data on 749 pregnancies showed birth defect rates similar to the general population. The registry was too small to rule out rarer defects, so use only if the benefit justifies the risk.
  • Breastfeeding: acyclovir passes into breast milk, so use caution.
  • Children: age limits differ by product. Zovirax Cream is for ages 12 and older, and IV dosing differs for children under 12.

Acyclovir overdose

▾

Overdoses of up to 20 g have been reported. Effects include agitation, coma, seizures and lethargy. Acyclovir can crystallize in the kidneys and lead to kidney failure, and hemodialysis may help if acute kidney failure occurs with no urine output.

How your body processes Acyclovir

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Acyclovir is broken down in the body into inactive products, but it is mostly cleared unchanged by the kidneys. With the Sitavig buccal tablet, acyclovir levels are high in saliva but very low in the blood. The tablet stays stuck to the gum for a median of about 14 hours.

How to store Acyclovir

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stored at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F) ; excursions between 15 and 30°C (59-86°F) permitted at room temperature. Protect from moisture and keep out of reach of children.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

37

Supplements & herbs that interact with Acyclovir

37 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Acyclovir in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 3
  • Moderate · 23
  • Minor · 11
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major ASARABACCA Major SIBERIAN COCKLEBUR Major AFRICAN WILD POTATO Moderate ARISTOLOCHIA Moderate Banderol Moderate BIOFEEDBACK Moderate CAFFEIC ACID Moderate +29 more
Every supplement checked against Acyclovir — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 3 major · 23 moderate · 11 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Acyclovir against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Acyclovir: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Acyclovir — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is acyclovir used for?

▾
Acyclovir treats infections caused by herpes-family viruses. Oral forms treat shingles, genital herpes and chickenpox. Creams, ointments, the eye ointment, the buccal tablet and the IV form are used for more specific problems, such as cold sores or herpes eye ulcers.

When should I start it?

▾
As early as possible. For cold sores, that means at the first tingling, itching or burning. For genital herpes recurrences, start at the first sign of an outbreak. Early treatment is when it works best.

What side effects should I expect?

▾
The most common ones are headache, nausea and belly pain. Some people also get vomiting, dizziness or fatigue. These are usually manageable, but tell me if they bother you.

When should I call my doctor?

▾
Call right away for confusion, hallucinations, seizures or unusual drowsiness. Also call if you urinate much less than usual, which can signal kidney trouble. Any allergic reaction needs urgent attention.

Do I need to drink extra water?

▾
Yes, staying well hydrated is important. Acyclovir can build up in the kidneys when you are low on fluids, and that can hurt them. This matters most if you are older or have kidney disease.

Is it safe in pregnancy?

▾
Registry data on 749 pregnancies showed birth defect rates similar to the general population. The study was small, though, so it can’t rule out rarer problems. Talk with your prescriber so you can weigh the benefit and risk.

Is Acyclovir available over the counter?

▾
Acyclovir is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.

When was Acyclovir first available?

▾
Acyclovir has been available in the United States since at least 1982, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.

Who makes Acyclovir?

▾
Acyclovir is supplied by 119 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Bryant Ranch Prepack, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc., A-S Medication Solutions.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Acyclovir on HelloPharmacist

📊Acyclovir supplement interactions37 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerAcyclovir vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Acyclovir NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Acyclovir Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Acyclovir forms and strengths (how it comes)

Acyclovir is available in 7 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Tablet

By mouth
Brands Valacyclovir Valacyclovir Hydrochloride
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Acyclovir tablets treat shingles, genital herpes (first episodes and recurrences) and chickenpox.
  • Valacyclovir tablets treat cold sores and genital herpes in adults.
Important instructions
  • Valacyclovir tablets may be taken with or without meals.
  • Valacyclovir tablets for cold sores should be started at the earliest symptom, such as tingling, itching or burning.
Available strengths 2 strengths
400 mg 800 mg
332 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Capsule

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Acyclovir capsules treat shingles, genital herpes (first episodes and recurrences) and chickenpox.
Available strengths 1 strength
200 mg
112 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Topical cream, ointment or gel

On the skin
Brands Zovirax
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Zovirax Cream treats recurrent cold sores in adults and adolescents 12 and older with a healthy immune system.
  • Zovirax Ointment treats initial genital herpes and limited, non-life-threatening skin and mucous membrane herpes infections in people with weakened immune systems.
Important instructions
  • Zovirax Cream is applied 5 times a day for 4 days, starting as early as possible.
  • Zovirax Ointment is applied about every 3 hours, 6 times a day for 7 days.
  • A finger cot or rubber glove should be used when applying Zovirax Ointment to avoid spreading infection.
Available strengths 1 strength
50 mg/g
67 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Injection

Into a vein
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Acyclovir injection treats herpes simplex infections in people with weakened immune systems.
  • Acyclovir injection treats severe first episodes of genital herpes, herpes simplex encephalitis (brain infection) and neonatal herpes.
  • Acyclovir injection treats shingles in people with weakened immune systems.
Important instructions
  • Acyclovir injection is given by IV infusion only, never by rapid or bolus injection, and never into a muscle or under the skin.
  • Acyclovir injection infusions run at least 1 hour to reduce the risk of kidney damage.
  • Acyclovir injection works best when started as early as possible after symptoms begin.
Available strengths 6 strengths
50 mg/mL 500 mg 500 mg/10 mL 1 g 1000 mg 1000 mg/20 mL
26 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Oral suspension

By mouth
Brands Zovirax
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Acyclovir oral suspension treats shingles, genital herpes (first episodes and recurrences) and chickenpox.
Important instructions
  • Acyclovir oral suspension is taken by mouth, with several daily doses for some conditions.
  • Acyclovir oral suspension for recurrent genital herpes should be started at the first sign of an outbreak.
  • Long-term suppressive use of acyclovir oral suspension is re-evaluated after 1 year.
Available strengths 1 strength
200 mg/5 mL
24 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Eye ointment

In the eye
Brands Avaclyr
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Avaclyr treats acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers, a herpes infection of the cornea) caused by herpes simplex virus.
Important instructions
  • Avaclyr is applied as a ribbon of ointment in the lower inner eyelid of the affected eye about 5 times a day while awake until the ulcer heals.
  • After the ulcer heals, Avaclyr is applied 3 times a day for 7 more days.
Available strengths 1 strength
30 mg/g
2 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Buccal tablet

Inside the cheek
Brands Sitavig
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Sitavig treats recurrent cold sores (herpes labialis) in adults with a healthy immune system.
Important instructions
  • Sitavig is applied as a single tablet to the upper gum within one hour of the first tingling or itching, before a sore appears.
  • Sitavig tablets should not be crushed, chewed, sucked or swallowed.
  • Sitavig is placed with a dry finger and held with light pressure over the upper lip for 30 seconds.
Available strengths 1 strength
50 mg
1 FDA-listed product record ⓘ

Acyclovir on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Acyclovir appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

119 companies list 592 Acyclovir product records with the FDA, mostly as tablet, capsule, topical cream, ointment or gel; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1982. Brand names on the directory include Sitavig, Zovirax Capsules, Zovirax Tablets and 2 more; the rest are generics.

7
Dose forms ⓘ
119
Manufacturers
7
Brand names
592
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1982
First marketed ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (27) · Kit (1) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Bryant Ranch Prepack14%
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.8%
A-S Medication Solutions8%
Remedyrepack Inc.8%
Denton Pharma, Inc. DBA Northwind Pharmaceuticals5%
Proficient Rx LP4%
Other makers53%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Acyclovir is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Acyclovir is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Acyclovir is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

733,721
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$13.2M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Acyclovir prescribed? Of the 1,600 medications we measure, Acyclovir ranks #212 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 87% of them.

Where Acyclovir ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #212 of 1,600
#207 Calcium Chloride / Pot... 764,826 Rx #208 Dupilumab Injection 758,467 Rx #209 Rizatriptan 745,530 Rx #210 Tiotropium Oral Inhala... 739,246 Rx #211 Lacosamide 735,538 Rx #212 Acyclovir 733,721 Rx #213 Testosterone 731,644 Rx #214 Progesterone 725,527 Rx #215 Sucralfate 724,768 Rx #216 Ketotifen Ophthalmic 714,559 Rx #217 Ketotifen 714,559 Rx

Utilization by Acyclovir product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 400 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Acyclovir product — about 60% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

acyclovir 400 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

443,734 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 60% of Acyclovir prescriptions shown $5.5M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $12 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 13 of 394 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197311

acyclovir 800 MG Oral Tablet

130,031 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 18% of Acyclovir prescriptions shown $1.6M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $13 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 12 of 291 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197313

acyclovir 40 MG/ML Oral Suspension

59,491 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 8% of Acyclovir prescriptions shown $2.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $35 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 6 of 26 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 307730

acyclovir 0.05 MG/MG Topical Ointment

39,927 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 5% of Acyclovir prescriptions shown $1.2M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $31 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 17 of 49 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197312

acyclovir 200 MG Oral Capsule

36,266 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 5% of Acyclovir prescriptions shown $447,530 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $12 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 9 of 177 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197310

acyclovir 50 MG/ML Topical Cream

23,628 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 3% of Acyclovir prescriptions shown $2.3M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $97 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 7 of 12 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 141859

10 ML acyclovir 50 MG/ML Injection

414 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Acyclovir prescriptions shown $19,872 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $48 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 13 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1734932

20 ML acyclovir 50 MG/ML Injection

230 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Acyclovir prescriptions shown $11,479 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $50 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 13 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1734934

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Acyclovir, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 69 of 975 listed Acyclovir NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Acyclovir products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Acyclovir — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 200 of 592 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 592 Acyclovir NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Acyclovir RxCUI 281 9 dose forms · 16 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Buccal Tablet RxCUI 1423661 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 50 MG RxCUI 1423662
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 377143 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 25 MG/ML RxCUI 248108 50 MG/ML RxCUI 313812
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Ophthalmic Ointment RxCUI 376437 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.03 MG/MG RxCUI 199413
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Capsule RxCUI 370536 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 200 MG RxCUI 197310
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Suspension RxCUI 370782 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 40 MG/ML RxCUI 307730 80 MG/ML RxCUI 103859
  7. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 370537 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 200 MG RxCUI 199524 400 MG RxCUI 197311 800 MG RxCUI 197313
  8. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Cream RxCUI 377568 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 50 MG/ML RxCUI 141859
  9. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Ointment RxCUI 374473 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.05 MG/MG RxCUI 197312

Look up RxCUI 281 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

Acyclovir brand names

Acyclovir is sold under 5 brand names in the FDA directory — Sitavig, Zovirax Capsules, Zovirax Tablets, Zovirax and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Sitavig Zovirax Capsules Zovirax Tablets Zovirax Avaclyr

Who makes Acyclovir: manufacturers and labelers

40 companies list Acyclovir products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Bryant Ranch Prepack, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc., A-S Medication Solutions. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Bryant Ranch Prepack 65 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 38 A-S Medication Solutions 36 Remedyrepack Inc. 35 Denton Pharma, Inc. DBA Northwind Pharmaceuticals 24 Proficient Rx LP 20 Zydus Lifesciences Limited 17 PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 13 RedPharm Drug, Inc. 12 RPK Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 12 Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. 11 Apotex Corp. 10 Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited 9 Yiling Pharmaceutical, Inc. 9 Direct Rx 8 Chartwell RX, LLC 8 Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. 8 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 8 NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 7 Modavar Pharmaceuticals LLC 7 American Health Packaging 7 Cardinal Health 107, LLC 7 AvPAK 6 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 6

…and 16 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Acyclovir drug class (RxNorm)

Acyclovir belongs to the Herpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor class.

Pharmacologic class Herpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Herpes Zoster Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor
Drug family (ATC) Antivirals, Nucleosides and nucleotides excl. reverse transcriptase inhibitors, Antivirals
How it works DNA Polymerase Inhibitors

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Acyclovir page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

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FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Jun 11, 2020
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Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Acyclovir.
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Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
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Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Acyclovir after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
172
NDC products indexed
592
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
119
Linked representative label ⓘ
EPI Health, Inc
Linked label effective
Jun 11, 2020
Composite sections available
24
Linked SPL Set ID
cd6e902d-5753-49ec-bec8-b27176ed978e
Linked SPL Document ID
7e36e856-cd1b-481d-bc96-846ac59b1548
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. EPI Health, Inc is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →