Acyclovir: here's the fair price
This is what US pharmacies pay, on average, for acyclovir. Use it to spot a fair cash price, and feel good about asking for one.
Acyclovir 400 Mg Tablet
A fair cash price is usually this cost plus a dispensing fee. If your quote is many times higher, ask about a generic, another pharmacy, or a cash discount.
Ask for generic Acyclovir 400 Mg Tablet. Pharmacies pay about $2.87 for 30. Ask your pharmacy for its cash price and compare it with your copay. A fair cash price is close to this cost plus a dispensing fee.
Source: CMS NADAC as of 2026-11-04. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic is right for you.
Source: CMS NADAC weekly file as of 2026-11-04. Median across NDCs with the same description. Public domain.
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Every strength and form
| Product | Pharmacy cost | 30 count | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACYCLOVIR 200 MG/5 ML SUSPGeneric | $0.08 per mL | n/a | 10/21/2026 |
| ACYCLOVIR 400 MG TABLETGeneric | $0.10 per tablet or capsule | $2.87 | 10/21/2026 |
| ACYCLOVIR 200 MG CAPSULEGeneric | $0.10 per tablet or capsule | $2.89 | 10/21/2026 |
| ACYCLOVIR 800 MG TABLETGeneric | $0.20 per tablet or capsule | $5.90 | 10/21/2026 |
| ACYCLOVIR 5% OINTMENTGeneric | $0.36 per gram | n/a | 10/21/2026 |
| ACYCLOVIR 5% CREAMGeneric | $8.85 per gram | n/a | 10/21/2026 |
Source: CMS NADAC, as of 2026-11-04. National average acquisition cost, not a retail quote.
Label basics
What it is used for (FDA label)
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Herpes Zoster Infections : Acyclovir is indicated for the acute treatment of herpes zoster (shingles). Genital Herpes : Acyclovir is indicated for the treatment of initial episodes and the management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes. Chickenpox : Acyclovir is indicated for the treatment of chickenpox (varicella).
Common side effects (FDA label)
ADVERSE REACTIONS Herpes Simplex: Short-Term Administration: The most frequent adverse events reported during clinical trials of treatment of genital herpes with acyclovir 200 mg administered orally 5 times daily every 4 hours for 10 days were nausea and/or vomiting in 8 of 298 patient treatments (2.7%). Nausea and/or vomiting occurred in 2 of 287 (0.7%) patients who received placebo. Long-Term Administration: The most frequent adverse events reported in a clinical trial for the prevention of recurrences with continuous administration of 400 mg (two 200-mg capsules) 2 times daily for 1 year...
Drug interactions (from the label)
Drug Interactions: See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics .
Warnings (from the label)
WARNINGS Acyclovir capsules are intended for oral ingestion only. Renal failure, in some cases resulting in death, has been observed with acyclovir therapy (see ADVERSE REACTIONS: Observed During Clinical Practice and OVERDOSAGE ). Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS), which has resulted in death, has occurred in immunocompromised patients receiving acyclovir therapy.
Source: FDA drug label via openFDA, label effective 2024-09-05. Full label on DailyMed. Excerpts are verbatim and truncated. Read the full label and ask your pharmacist.