acyclovir 50 mg/g Ointment
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Herpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
Where does this data come from?
🩺 Clinical
Acyclovir cream is used to treat cold sores (fever blisters; blisters that are caused by a virus called herpes simplex) on the face or lips. Acyclovir ointment is used to treat first outbreaks of genital herpes (a herpes virus infection that causes sores to form around the genitals and rectum from time to time) and to treat certain types of sores caused by the herpes simplex virus in people with weak immune systems. Acyclovir is in a class of antiviral medications called synthetic nucleoside analogues. It works by stopping the spread of the herpes virus in the body. Acyclovir does not cure col...
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Acyclovir doesn't cure herpes — it can't eliminate the virus from your body. What it does is slow down the virus's ability to copy itself, which shortens outbreaks, eases symptoms,...
- What exactly does acyclovir do — does it cure herpes?
- Timing really does matter with acyclovir. For cold sores, you want to start at the very first warning sign — that tingling or itching feeling — before a sore even appears. For geni...
- How soon do I need to start taking it for it to work?
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Acyclovir — tap one for details:
Where does this data come from?
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII 3WJQ0SDW1A
Polyethylene glycol is a synthetic liquid or solid polymer used in medicines as a solvent, lubricant, and humectant. It helps dissolve active ingredients, reduces friction during manufacturing, and retains moisture in the final product.
1 inactive ingredient listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Can inactive ingredients matter?
💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per g | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $0.342 | $10.26 / 30 g |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $0.8412 | $25.24 / 30 g |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $1.40 | $41.99 / 30 g |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 00591-1159-30 | ACTAVIS | 1 tube | $0.315 | AB | Availability likely | save 8% |
| acyclovir 50 mg/gthis 16714-0885-02 | Northstar | 1 tube | $0.342 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| acyclovir 50 mg/g 13668-0515-01 | Torrent | 15 g | $0.536 | AB | Availability likely | +57% |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 51672-1360-01 | Sun | 1 tube | $0.536 | AB | Availability likely | +57% |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 65162-0835-94 | Amneal | 1 tube | $0.536 | AB | Availability likely | +57% |
| acyclovir 50 mg/g 68462-0746-17 | Glenmark | 1 tube | $0.536 | AB | Availability likely | +57% |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 70700-0107-15 | Xiromed, | 1 tube | $0.536 | AB | Availability likely | +57% |
| acyclovir 50 mg/g 72578-0082-01 | Viona | 1 tube | $0.536 | AB | Availability likely | +57% |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 33342-0439-15 | Macleods | 1 tube | $0.676 | AB | FDA listed | +98% |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 51672-1361-05 | Sun | 1 tube | $9.108 | AB | Availability likely | +2562% |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 62332-0423-05 | Alembic | 1 tube | $9.108 | AB | Availability likely | +2562% |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 65162-0836-14 | Amneal | 1 tube | $9.108 | AB | Availability likely | +2562% |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 00093-3630-20 | Teva | 1 tube | $9.108 | AB | Availability likely | +2562% |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 45802-0044-75 | Padagis | 1 tube | $9.108 | AB | Availability likely | +2562% |
| Zovirax 50 mg/g 00187-0994-45 | Bausch | 1 tube | $38.247 | AB | FDA listed | +11079% |
| Zovirax 50 mg/g 00187-0993-95 | Bausch | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 43547-0499-41 | Solco | 1 tube | — | — | FDA listed | — |
| acyclovir 50 mg/g 50090-6561-00 | A-S | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 62332-0248-05 | Alembic | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 63629-2327-01 | Bryant | 30 g | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 63629-2328-01 | Bryant | 15 g | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| acyclovir 50 mg/g 68071-3909-05 | NuCare | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| acyclovir 50 mg/g 68788-8247-01 | Preferred | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| acyclovir 50 mg/g 70771-1371-01 | Zydus | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 72162-1960-02 | Bryant | 15 g | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| acyclovir 50 mg/g 85766-0115-15 | Sportpharm | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 85957-0036-01 | Aryeh | 2 tubes | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 72162-2327-02 | Bryant | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 70771-1808-02 | Zydus | 1 tube | — | BX | FDA listed | — |
| Acyclovir 50 mg/g 72578-0101-04 | Viona | 1 tube | — | BX | FDA listed | — |
| acyclovir 50 mg/g 68788-4142-01 | c | 15 g | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
💊 Medicaid utilization by pack size
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Age at onset
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
Where does this data come from?
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Per unit | Per pack | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16714-0885-01 | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (16714-885-01) / 15 g in 1 TUBE | $0.5362 / g | $8.04 | 2018-12-31 | Active |
| 16714-0885-02 You're viewing this | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (16714-885-02) / 30 g in 1 TUBE | $0.3421 / g | $10.26 | 2018-12-31 | Active |
This pack has the lowest per-g cost of the 2 priced pack sizes ($0.3421 NADAC).
This pack accounts for about 37% of this product's recent Medicaid fills; most go to a different pack size. See all packs ↓
Pack size FAQ
What quantity is in NDC 16714-0885-02?
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of acyclovir 50 mg/g Ointment?
Prices are the latest CMS NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost per NDC; per-pack figures are per-unit × pack quantity, shown only when the pack is denominated in the same measure NADAC prices.
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acyclovir ointment USP 5% is indicated in the management of initial genital herpes and in limited non-life-threatening mucocutaneous Herpes simplex virus infections in immunocompromised patients.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply sufficient quantity to adequately cover all lesions every 3 hours, 6 times per day for 7 days. The dose size per application will vary depending upon the total lesion area but should approximate a one-half inch ribbon of ointment per 4 square inches of surface area. A finger cot or rubber glove should be used when applying acyclovir ointment to prevent autoinoculation of other body sites and transmission of infection to other persons.
Therapy should be initiated as early as possible following onset of signs and symptoms.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Acyclovir ointment 5% is contraindicated in patients who develop hypersensitivity to the components of the formulation.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS Acyclovir ointment 5% is intended for cutaneous use only and should not be used in the eye.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS In the controlled clinical trials, mild pain (including transient burning and stinging) was reported by about 30% of patients in both the active and placebo arms; treatment was discontinued in 2 of these patients. Local pruritus occurred in 4% of these patients. In all studies, there was no significant difference between the drug and placebo group in the rate or type of reported adverse reactions nor were there any differences in abnormal clinical laboratory findings.
Observed During Clinical Practice Based on clinical practice experience in patients treated with acyclovir ointment in the US, spontaneously reported adverse events are uncommon. Data are insufficient to support an estimate of their incidence or to establish causation. These events may also occur as part of the underlying disease process.
Voluntary reports of adverse events that have been received since market introduction include: General: Edema and/or pain at the application site. Skin: Pruritus, rash.
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
Drug Interactions Clinical experience has identified no interactions resulting from topical or systemic administration of other drugs concomitantly with acyclovir ointment 5%.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B. Acyclovir was not teratogenic in the mouse, rabbit, or rat at exposures greatly in excess of human exposure. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of systemic acyclovir in pregnant women.
A prospective epidemiologic registry of acyclovir use during pregnancy was established in 1984 and completed in April 1999. There were 749 pregnancies followed in women exposed to systemic acyclovir during the first trimester of pregnancy resulting in 756 outcomes. The occurrence rate of birth defects approximates that found in the general population.
However, the small size of the registry is insufficient to evaluate the risk for less common defects or to permit reliable or definitive conclusions regarding the safety of acyclovir in pregnant women and their developing fetuses. Systemic acyclovir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
Geriatric Use Clinical studies of acyclovir ointment did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. Systemic absorption of acyclovir after topical administration is minimal (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ).
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE Overdosage by topical application of acyclovir ointment 5% is unlikely because of limited transcutaneous absorption (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ).
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Two clinical pharmacology studies were performed with acyclovir ointment 5% in immunocompromised adults at risk of developing mucocutaneous Herpes simplex virus infections or with localized varicella-zoster infections. These studies were designed to evaluate the dermal tolerance, systemic toxicity, and percutaneous absorption of acyclovir. In 1 of these studies, which included 16 inpatients, the complete ointment or its vehicle were randomly administered in a dose of 1-cm strips (25 mg acyclovir) 4 times a day for 7 days to an intact skin surface area of 4.5 square inches.
No local intolerance, systemic toxicity, or contact dermatitis were observed. In addition, no drug was detected in blood and urine by radioimmunoassay (sensitivity, 0.01 mcg/mL). The other study included 11 patients with localized varicella-zoster infections.
In this uncontrolled study, acyclovir was detected in the blood of 9 patients and in the urine of all patients tested. Acyclovir levels in plasma ranged from <0.01 to 0.28 mcg/mL in 8 patients with normal renal function, and from <0.01 to 0.78 mcg/mL in 1 patient with impaired renal function. Acyclovir excreted in the urine ranged from <0.02% to 9.4% of the daily dose.
Therefore, systemic absorption of acyclovir after topical application is minimal.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Each gram of acyclovir ointment USP, 5% contains 50 mg acyclovir, USP in a polyethylene glycol base. Acyclovir ointment USP, 5% is a white to off-white translucent ointment. It is supplied as follows: NDC 16714-885-01 15 gram tubes (1 tube per carton) NDC 16714-885-02 30 gram tubes (1 tube per carton) Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Manufactured for: Northstar Rx LLC Memphis, TN 38141. Manufactured by: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited Colvale-Bardez, Goa 403513, India To report SUSPECT ADVERSE REACTIONS, Contact NorthStar Rx LLC 1-800-206-7821 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fdagov/medwatch December 2021
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Acyclovir is a synthetic nucleoside analogue active against herpes viruses. Acyclovir ointment USP, 5% is a formulation for topical administration. Each gram of acyclovir ointment USP, 5% contains 50 mg of acyclovir, USP in a polyethylene glycol (PEG) base.
Acyclovir, USP is a white to off-white, crystalline powder with the molecular formula C 8 H 11 N 5 O 3 and a molecular weight of 225.2 g/mol. The maximum solubility in water at 37°C is 2.5 mg/mL. The pka’s of acyclovir are 2.27 and 9.25.
The chemical name of acyclovir, USP is 2-amino-1, 9-dihydro-9- [(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6 H purin-6-one; it has the following structural formula: acyclovir-structura-formula