Zovirax (Acyclovir)
Dosages
Zovirax 200 mg
| Quantity | Price per tablet | Total price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 | A$0.38 | A$67.69 | |
| 360 | A$0.34 | A$121.07 |
Zovirax 400 mg
| Quantity | Price per tablet | Total price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | A$1.17 | A$70.30 | |
| 90 | A$1.06 | A$95.03 | |
| 120 | A$1.00 | A$119.77 | |
| 180 | A$0.93 | A$167.93 | |
| 270 | A$0.89 | A$240.83 | |
| 360 | A$0.88 | A$315.04 |
Zovirax 800 mg
| Quantity | Price per tablet | Total price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | A$3.82 | A$114.56 | |
| 60 | A$2.89 | A$173.14 | |
| 90 | A$2.57 | A$231.72 | |
| 120 | A$2.44 | A$292.91 | |
| 180 | A$2.28 | A$410.07 | |
| 270 | A$2.17 | A$587.11 | |
| 360 | A$2.12 | A$764.16 |
Payment & Delivery
Package Example
Your order is carefully packed and ships within 24 hours. Here is what a typical package looks like.
Sized like a regular personal letter (approximately 24x11x0.7 cm), with no indication of what is inside.
Delivery Times
| Delivery Method | Estimated delivery |
|---|---|
| Express Free for orders over A$390.54 | Estimated delivery to Australia: 4-7 days |
| Standard Free for orders over A$260.36 | Estimated delivery to Australia: 14-21 days |
Payment Methods
Discount Coupons
- Australia Day - 26 January 2026 10% AUSDAY10
- ANZAC Day - 25 April 2026 8% ANZAC8
- Boxing Day - 26 December 2026 12% BOXING12
Brand Names
Also known as (by country):
| Country | Brand Names |
|---|---|
 Argentina | Acerpes Aciclo Aciclotex Apofarm Dioxis Duolip Lafevir Lisovyr Oralsone Herpes Poviral Virostatic Xiclovir |
 Australia | Acihexal Acyclo-V Chemists Own Cold Sore Lovir Ozvir Zolaten Zyclir |
 Belgium | Aciclomed Aciclophar Docaciclo Viratop |
 Brazil | Aciclomed Aciclor Aciclovan Aciveral Acivirax Anclomax Antivirax Aviral Ciclavix Ciclocris Clovir Ductovirax Exavir Ezopen Heclivir Herpesil Hervirax Hpvir Uni Vir Ziclovir Zoylex |
 Canada | Avirax |
 Czechia | Acyclostad Herpesin Herpotern Provirsan Ranvir Supraviran Viro Virolex Xorox |
 Denmark | Aciclodan Acivir Avirox Geavir Herpavir Orivir Zoviplus Zovir |
 Finland | Aclotad Aclovir Acyclostad Acyrax Antix Geavir Herpolips |
 France | Aciclovivax Activir Herpevir Kendix Remex Virucalm |
 Germany | Acerpes Aci-Sanorania Acic Acic-Ophtal Aciclo Aciclobeta Aciclostad Acivir Dynexan Herpescreme Herpetad Herpofug Herpotern Herpoviric Juviral Mapox Supraviran Virax Virupos Viruseen Virzin Zoliparin |
 Greece | Abduce Amitrox Biozirox Cargosil Cevinolon Clovirax Cyclovir Cycloviran Erpaclovir Erpizon Etasisen Fibrilan Hagevir Helposol Herzkur Neldim Pulibex Uniplex Verpir Virusteril Xorox Zeramil Zicoten Zidovimm |
 Hungary | Acyclostad Herpesin Telviran Virokill Virolex |
 Italy | Aciclin Acicloftal Aciviran ACY Acyvir Alovir Amodivyr Avirase Avix Avyclor Avyplus Avysal Cevirin Citivir Clovix Cycloviran Dravyr Efriviral Esavir Euclivir Fuviron Herpesnil Iliaclor Immunovir Ipaviran Ipsovir Neclovir Neviran Rexan Riduvir Sanavir Sifiviral Voraclor |
 Malaysia | Acylete Avorax Cusiviral Cyclovax Declovir Hepirax Lovir Medovir Vacrax Virest Virless Virucid Zevin Zoral Zorax |
 Mexico | Acifur Akevir Apo-Vir Avirex-T Bioviraz Brimex Cicloferon Ciclor Clirbest Clociver Clovex Clyvorax Epsin Erser Exaliver Filivir Firex Hercivir Herpilem Isavir Jersin Kerastil Laciken Landvir Lesaclor Maclov Opthavir Pharcilex Seracic Sinarden Sophivir Soviclor Vicloran Viclovir Virazone Virestat Viroxil Zetavir Zirconia Ziverone |
 Netherlands | Acyclostad Herpolips Kruidvat Koortslipcreme Previum |
 New Zealand | Acicvir Lovir Viraban Zolaten |
 Norway | Antix Geavir |
 Poland | Abbovir Acix Antivir Awirol Cusiviral Hascovir Herpesin Herpex Heviran Virolex Viru-POS Xorovir |
 Portugal | Aciclosina Aciclovax Briclofar Cicloviral Divicil Faulviral Hermix-Sofex Hermocil Herpex Milavir Vidovir Zov800 |
 Spain | Aciclostad Bel Labial Cusiviral Herpial Maynar Milavir Viclovir Vipral Virbelte Virherpes Virmen Viruderm Zovicrem |
 Sweden | Anti Geavir Zovir |
 Turkey | Acyl Aklovir Asiviral Hernovir Herpeks Klovireks-L Provir Silovir Virosil Virupos Xorox |
| Manufacturer | Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Pharmaceuticals | Acivir Cyclorax Zenclovir |
| Cipla Limited | Acivir Cyclorax Zenclovir |
| Inc. | Acivir Cyclorax Zenclovir |
| Zenlabs Pharmaceutical Inc. | Acivir Cyclorax Zenclovir |
Description
Note:
Images in the description are provided for informational purposes and may differ from the actual appearance of the product. Please refer to the product name, strength, active ingredients, and dosage form.
Zovirax is also available as Zovirax Cream 5% (5 g tube). For cold sores (herpes labialis) on the lips, the topical cream is the intended option. Oral tablets/capsules are generally not the standard choice for this use.
About Zovirax (Acyclovir)
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine used to help treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It works by slowing the growth and spread of the virus. In Australia, it is commonly prescribed in general practice and dermatology to help symptoms improve faster when taken as directed, although it does not remove these viruses from the body.
Prescription medicine: Use only as directed by a licensed clinician.
What oral acyclovir tablets/capsules are used for
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- Genital herpes (initial and recurrent episodes)
- Chickenpox (varicella)
Zovirax is available in different forms
In Australia, the brand name Zovirax (acyclovir) and generic acyclovir may be available in several dosage forms. Do not mix up the instructions for different forms.
- Oral: tablets, capsules and oral suspension
- Topical: cream 5% and ointment 5%
- IV (hospital use): acyclovir for injection (intravenous)
Important: This product page is for oral acyclovir (tablets/capsules). Topical products (cream/ointment) and IV acyclovir have different directions for use.
When to use tablets vs cream vs ointment
| Form | Where/how it's used | When it's typically chosen | Labelled use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral acyclovir (tablets/capsules/suspension) | Taken by mouth | When treatment throughout the body is needed (for example, shingles, chickenpox or genital herpes) | Shingles, genital herpes (initial/recurrent), chickenpox |
| Zovirax Cream 5% | Applied to the affected area on the lips/face only (not in the eyes, mouth, nose or genitals) | For recurrent cold sores/fever blisters; start as early as possible | Recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent adults and adolescents ≥12 |
| Zovirax Ointment 5% | Applied to the skin (cutaneous use; not in the eyes) | For certain HSV skin or mucosal outbreaks when this form is specifically prescribed; not recommended for routine cold sores on the lips | Initial genital herpes; limited mucocutaneous HSV in certain immunocompromised patients |
Why Zovirax comes as both tablets and capsules
Acyclovir has been available in different oral dosage forms. Historically, 200 mg was commonly supplied as capsules, while 400 mg and 800 mg were commonly supplied as tablets. The main difference is the dosage form and the strengths available, which can affect convenience, including how many units you need to take each day.
For example, an 800 mg dose can reduce the number of pills compared with taking multiple 200 mg units.
When 800 mg is used
Oral acyclovir 800 mg is commonly used in labelled regimens for shingles (herpes zoster) and chickenpox (varicella). Your prescriber will choose the dose and schedule based on the infection, age/weight, kidney function and clinical severity.
Zovirax vs Valtrex (acyclovir vs valacyclovir)
| Feature | Zovirax / Acyclovir | Valtrex / Valacyclovir |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Acyclovir (active antiviral) | Valacyclovir (a prodrug converted to acyclovir) |
| Dosing convenience | Often needs to be taken more often for some conditions | Often needs to be taken less often for some conditions |
| Cold sores (herpes labialis) | Topical cream is the intended option; oral acyclovir may be used off-label if prescribed | Oral valacyclovir has a labelled regimen for cold sores |
| Cost & availability | Often lower cost because generic versions are widely available | May be more convenient but can cost more depending on the market |
Dosing table
The table below summarises commonly referenced labelled regimens. If a form is not used or not labelled for a condition, it is shown as a dash.
Clinical studies in Australia
Clinical studies in Australia on acyclovir have mainly looked at its use in treating and suppressing herpes simplex virus infections, including genital herpes, and in managing varicella-zoster virus infections such as shingles. Overall, these studies found that acyclovir shortens the duration of symptoms, reduces viral shedding and lowers how often recurrences happen when used as suppressive therapy. Australian research has also added to the evidence on dosing strategies, safety and use in immunocompromised patients, with findings broadly consistent with international results.
| Condition | Oral acyclovir (this product) | Zovirax Cream 5% | Zovirax Ointment 5% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold sores (herpes labialis) |
- (topical cream is the intended option for cold sores) | Apply 5 times daily for 4 days Start as early as possible. |
- |
| Fever blisters (same as cold sores) |
- | Apply 5 times daily for 4 days | - |
| Chickenpox (varicella) |
Adults / >40 kg: 800 mg 4 times daily for 5 days Children ≥2 years: 20 mg/kg per dose 4 times daily for 5 days (max 800 mg per dose) |
- | - |
| Initial genital herpes | - | - | Apply a sufficient quantity to cover all lesions every 3 hours (6 times daily) for 7 days |
| Limited mucocutaneous HSV in certain immunocompromised patients | - | - | Apply a sufficient quantity to cover all lesions every 3 hours (6 times daily) for 7 days |
How to take oral acyclovir
- Take it exactly as prescribed. Your dose, schedule and treatment length depend on the infection and your kidney function.
- Stay well hydrated, especially if you are older or have kidney disease.
- If you miss a dose, follow your prescriber's instructions. Do not double up unless you have been told to.
Precautions
- Kidney disease / dehydration: there is a higher risk of kidney-related side effects, and your Australian prescriber may adjust the dose.
- Drug interactions: tell your Australian clinician about all medicines, including OTC products and supplements. Some medicines can affect kidney function.
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding: discuss the risks and benefits with your clinician in Australia.
Possible side effects
Side effects vary from person to person and depend on the dose. Contact a clinician promptly if you develop signs of an allergic reaction (rash/hives, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, trouble breathing), severe confusion, hallucinations or seizures.
How to store oral acyclovir
- Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).
- Protect from moisture and keep out of reach of children.
- Do not use after the expiry date on the carton.
MD, infectious diseases specialist and medical writer
