DrugID

Valacyclovir vs Acyclovir

Compare Valacyclovir and Acyclovir side by side: what they treat, drug class, cost and FDA label information.

ValacyclovirAcyclovir
Drug classHerpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Herpes Zoster Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase InhibitorHerpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Herpes Zoster Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor
Used to treatChickenpox, Herpes genitalis, Herpes labialis, Herpes zosterAids-related opportunistic infections, Chickenpox, Epstein-barr virus infections, Herpes genitalis, Herpes labialis, Herpes simplex encephalitis, Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
Generic priceFrom $0.23 each, about $6.87 for 30 (500 mg tablet)From $0.096 each, about $2.89 for 30 (400 mg tablet); other forms from $0.076 per mL (200 mg/5 mL suspension)
Brand priceValtrex: from $12.81 each, about $384 for 30 (500 mg caplet)No brand price listed
Generic savingsGeneric costs about 98% less than the brandNot listed