Zovirax (Acyclovir) Tablets: Prices, Pack Sizes and Ordering Options

Zovirax is the brand-name oral tablet form of acyclovir, an antiviral medicine used against herpesvirus infections. We offer it as a tablet taken by mouth in three strengths: 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg, with several pack sizes for each strength. Choosing between them is mainly a question of prescribed strength, quantity and value, so this guide sets out the options we carry and how to weigh them against the expected course of treatment.

Zovirax pricing and the choices we offer

Every Zovirax order starts with three decisions: which strength suits the prescribed regimen, how many tablets to buy at once, and how that pack size lines up with the price per tablet. Acyclovir may be taken several times a day for a defined course or on a regular schedule for longer-term suppressive treatment. The appropriate pack size therefore depends heavily on the dose, dosing frequency and intended duration.

We list our current prices in the offer options on this page. Comparing the total pack price is useful for budgeting, but it does not show the whole picture. Price per tablet helps show relative value, while the number of tablets required for the planned regimen shows whether that value is practically relevant. A lower unit price is not a saving if the extra tablets will not be used within their shelf life or do not match the treatment plan.

How do the pack sizes compare in value?

For the 400 mg strength, we currently offer six pack sizes: 60, 90, 120, 180, 270 and 360 tablets. These options cover substantially different supply lengths, depending on the regimen. Rather than looking only at the total price, compare the price per tablet across the available quantities and then check how many tablets the prescribed schedule actually requires. The comparison below sets out the exact total price and unit-value relationship for our 400 mg options.

A lower price per tablet is genuinely useful when the quantity matches an amount that will be used anyway, whether that is a defined treatment course or a longer period of suppressive therapy agreed with a prescriber. It is not a reason on its own to buy more tablets than needed. Before selecting a larger pack, calculate the number of doses per day, multiply that by the intended number of treatment days, and allow for a future supply only if that use is already planned.

Check the expiry date printed on the supplied pack when it arrives. Store the tablets at 15°C to 25°C in a dry place protected from light and moisture, and keep them in their original packaging and out of reach of children. Suitable storage helps ensure that a larger supply remains usable for the period in which it is intended to be taken.

Choosing the right strength and quantity

We carry Zovirax in the following strengths and pack sizes:

• 200 mg tablets: packs of 180 or 360 tablets, providing options for regimens that involve frequent dosing or a planned longer supply.
• 400 mg tablets: packs of 60, 90, 120, 180, 270 or 360 tablets, with quantities that can suit either shorter treatment needs or longer suppressive regimens when prescribed.
• 800 mg tablets: packs of 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 270 or 360 tablets, generally used when the prescribed regimen calls for a higher amount at each dose.

The strength prescribed determines how many tablets are needed at each dose, while the pack size determines how long the supply lasts. Strengths should not be interchanged simply by choosing a different number of tablets unless a prescriber or pharmacist has confirmed that approach. The clinical purpose, kidney function, age and treatment duration can all affect the regimen.

To estimate supply length, start with the exact directions rather than the condition name alone. Two people taking Zovirax for different herpesvirus infections may need very different daily quantities. Divide the number of tablets in the pack by the number prescribed per day to estimate how many complete treatment days it covers. Matching the quantity this way helps avoid running short mid-course and reduces the chance of holding an oversized pack beyond its useful shelf life.

Zovirax, generic acyclovir and other antiviral options

Zovirax is a brand of oral acyclovir. An approved generic acyclovir tablet contains the same active ingredient and strength, although its appearance, packaging and inactive ingredients may differ. Some customers choose the brand for familiarity or because a prescriber has specified it; others may be comfortable with a generic version when substitution is clinically appropriate. Brand preference should be considered separately from strength, dose and quantity.

Prescribers may also use related antivirals such as Valtrex (valacyclovir) or Famvir (famciclovir). Valacyclovir is converted in the body to acyclovir and is often dosed less frequently because it has better oral bioavailability. Famciclovir is converted to penciclovir and has its own dosing schedules and approved uses. We stock all three brands, but they are not tablet-for-tablet substitutes. If a prescriber has specified one of these alternatives, use that product's listing rather than switching medicines or strengths yourself.

What is Zovirax used for?

Oral acyclovir is established for treating and, in some circumstances, suppressing infections caused by herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus. Its clinical uses include:

• Cold sores and other herpes simplex infections affecting the lips, skin or mucous membranes in appropriate clinical circumstances.
• Genital herpes, both for individual episodes and for longer-term suppressive treatment intended to reduce recurrences.
• Shingles (herpes zoster), for which treatment is generally most useful when started promptly after the rash appears.
• Chickenpox in specific clinical situations, using a dose and treatment duration selected by a prescriber.

Acyclovir controls viral replication but does not remove latent herpesvirus from the body. Recurrences can therefore still happen after a course has finished. The appropriate treatment also depends on the virus, the location and severity of symptoms, how early treatment begins, immune status and whether the purpose is episodic treatment or ongoing suppression. Customers researching herpesvirus treatment more broadly may find it useful to browse our antiviral range for related options.

How acyclovir works and how to take it

Acyclovir is activated mainly inside virus-infected cells. Its active form interferes with viral DNA polymerase, an enzyme the herpesvirus needs to copy its genetic material. This slows viral replication and limits the development of new virus particles. Because the activation process depends largely on a viral enzyme, acyclovir has relatively limited activity in uninfected cells, which contributes to its generally favourable tolerability.

It does not cure the underlying infection or eliminate dormant virus. Improvement is not necessarily immediate, although starting treatment early can shorten or lessen an episode for suitable indications. Continue for the full period directed even if symptoms begin to settle sooner, unless the prescriber advises otherwise.

A few practical points can make a course easier to follow:

• Zovirax tablets can be taken with or without food. If nausea occurs, taking a dose with food may be more comfortable.
• Take doses at the scheduled times and maintain normal fluid intake, particularly when using higher doses or if dehydration is a concern.
• For episodic treatment, begin the medicine as early as directed after warning symptoms, lesions or a shingles rash appear.
• If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for one that was missed.

The dose must be adjusted in some people with reduced kidney function. Older adults are more likely to have impaired renal clearance and may also be more susceptible to neurological adverse effects, so their prescriber may review kidney function, hydration and the complete medicine list before selecting a regimen.

Safety, interactions and who should take extra care

Acyclovir is generally well tolerated, but it is not free of adverse effects or precautions. Reported effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, headache, dizziness and tiredness. Dizziness, confusion or somnolence can affect driving or machinery use, so individual response should be known before undertaking activities that require full alertness.

Kidney injury and neurological effects such as marked confusion, agitation, tremor, hallucinations or seizures are uncommon but important, particularly with high exposure, dehydration or impaired kidney function. Seek medical advice promptly for greatly reduced urination, severe weakness, unusual confusion, a widespread rash, facial swelling or difficulty breathing. A serious allergic reaction requires urgent care.

Extra care is appropriate in several circumstances:

• People with known hypersensitivity to acyclovir, valacyclovir or any tablet ingredient should not take Zovirax.
• People with reduced kidney function may require a lower dose or longer interval between doses. Kidney function may be monitored when clinically appropriate.
• Acyclovir is Australian Pregnancy Category B3. During pregnancy, it should be used only after an individual assessment concludes that the expected benefit justifies the possible risk.
• Acyclovir passes into breast milk, so a breastfeeding patient should discuss its use with a prescriber.
• Children require a regimen selected for their age, weight and indication rather than an adult dose chosen from the pack.

Provide the prescriber or pharmacist with a complete list of medicines and supplements. Probenecid and cimetidine can reduce acyclovir clearance, while mycophenolate can increase exposure to both medicines. Other medicines that affect kidney function can increase the need for caution, hydration or monitoring. These interactions do not always prevent treatment, but they can influence dose selection and follow-up. People who are acutely unwell, dehydrated or unable to keep fluids down should obtain clinical advice rather than continuing without review.

Do you need a prescription to order Zovirax in Australia?

Acyclovir tablets are classified as prescription medicines in Australia. Acyclovir tablet products lawfully supplied in the Australian market must be included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods under the applicable brand, strength and sponsor. Registration of the exact product should be checked against the current ARTG where relevant.

That Australian classification is separate from our checkout requirement. Our ordering policy does not require a prescription to be submitted before we accept an order, so you can select an offered strength and pack size and complete checkout directly with us. This ordering process does not replace clinical advice or change the medicine's Australian prescription classification. The dose and treatment duration should still come from an authorised prescriber.

PBS subsidy may be available for some acyclovir tablet uses, subject to current restrictions and patient eligibility. Any such subsidy operates through the standard Australian prescription and pharmacy channel rather than through our checkout, so it should not be assumed when comparing the prices shown on this page.

Ordering, delivery and what to expect

We have been operating since 2010, and our support team is available 24/7 by email, online chat and phone. A pharmacist is available to answer product and medicine-related questions before or after an order. Once an order for Zovirax is placed, we pack and dispatch it for delivery. Our support team can confirm the available delivery timing and tracking details for the specific order and destination.

Before checkout, confirm the selected strength, tablet quantity, delivery address and postcode. When the parcel arrives, check that the product name, strength and quantity match the order and that the packaging is intact. If anything appears incorrect or damaged, contact our support team before taking the tablets. Store the medicine as directed after receipt rather than leaving it in heat, direct light or a damp location.

If you are unsure which pack size covers an existing prescribed regimen, our team can help with the practical calculation. Questions that require a change in strength, dose, treatment duration or antiviral medicine should be referred to the prescriber rather than resolved by changing the order independently.

Choosing the option that matches your treatment plan

The right Zovirax purchase comes down to matching the prescribed strength - 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg - to a pack size that covers the intended course or suppressive period without creating an unnecessary surplus. Begin with the regimen, calculate the required tablet count, and then use the package comparison to assess total price and unit value among quantities that genuinely fit that requirement.

Larger packs can lower the price per tablet, which may provide practical value for a longer, already-planned supply. The deciding factor should nevertheless remain the intended treatment, not unit price alone. With the comparison above, our current strengths and quantities, clear storage and expiry checks, and our support team available if ordering questions arise, you can choose among the options we offer on a more informed basis.