Zovirax (Acyclovir)

Zovirax
4.017 ratingsReviews
Generic:
Acyclovir
Indications:
herpes
Analogs:
Aciclovir Valacyclovir Valtrex Famciclovir Famvir Penciclovir Denavir Docosanol Abreva Sitavig Xerese
In stock: 10 packs
AdultsPregnancyAllergiesDiabetesBreastfeedingChildrenDriving

Dosages

Zovirax 200 mg

Quantity Price per tablet You save Total price
180 £0.44 - £79.27
360 £0.39 £19.26 £139.27

Zovirax 400 mg

Quantity Price per tablet You save Total price
60 £1.09 - £65.19
90 £0.98 £9.63 £88.16
120 £0.94 £17.78 £112.60
180 £0.86 £40.00 £155.57
270 £0.83 £69.64 £223.72
360 £0.81 £97.79 £293.36

Zovirax 800 mg

Quantity Price per tablet You save Total price
30 £3.46 - £103.71
60 £2.61 £51.12 £156.31
90 £2.34 £100.75 £210.39
120 £2.21 £149.64 £265.21
180 £2.07 £250.39 £371.88
270 £1.97 £400.77 £532.64
360 £1.92 £551.90 £692.65

Manufacturers

Aliud Pharma GmbHApotex Inc.Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Cipla LimitedGlaxoSmithKlineLaboratorios Normon S.A.ratiopharm GmbHSandozTeva Canada LimitedZenlabs Pharmaceutical Inc.

Payment & Delivery

Package Example

Your order is carefully packed and is dispatched 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.

Front View
Front View
Side View
Side View
Back View
Back View
Delivery Times
Delivery MethodEstimated delivery
Express Free for orders over £222.24Estimated delivery to the UK: 4-7 days
Standard Free for orders over £148.16Estimated delivery to the UK: 14-21 days
EMSRoyal Mail
Payment Methods
VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressJCBBitcoin, USDTApple PayGoogle PayPayPalKlarnaClearpay

Discount Coupons

  • New Year's Day - 1 January 2026 9% NEWYEAR9
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  • St Patrick's Day - 17 March 2026 5% PATRICK5
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  • Christmas Day - 25 December 2026 10% XMAS10
  • Boxing Day - 26 December 2026 10% BOXING10
  • New Year's Eve - 31 December 2026 8% NYE8

FAQ

Oral acyclovir tablets are prescription-only medicines when obtained from local pharmacies in the United Kingdom. Our store policy allows you to order them without a prescription and have them sent by mail.

Store the tablets at 15°C to 25°C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep them in their original packaging and out of the reach of children.

The exact manufacturer is not confirmed in advance and may vary between available stock. Check the received package label for the manufacturer, as well as the active ingredient, strength, dosage form, batch number and expiry date.

Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine used for infections caused by herpes viruses, including genital herpes, shingles, chickenpox and some herpes simplex infections. It limits viral multiplication but does not eliminate herpes viruses from the body.

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 pharmaceutical form.

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. Acyclovir does not clear these viruses from the body, but it can help symptoms improve more quickly when taken as prescribed.

Aciclovir

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

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)

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 on the 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 (how many 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 frequently for some conditions Often needs to be taken less frequently 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 in 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.

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 enough to cover all lesions every 3 hours (6 times daily) for 7 days
Limited mucocutaneous HSV in certain immunocompromised patients - - Apply enough to cover all lesions every 3 hours (6 times daily) for 7 days

How to take oral acyclovir

  • Take exactly as prescribed. Your dose, schedule and duration depend on the infection and your kidney function.
  • Stay well hydrated (especially important for older adults and people with kidney disease).
  • If you miss a dose, follow your prescriber's instructions; do not take a double dose unless you have been told to.

Precautions

  • Kidney disease / dehydration: this can increase the risk of kidney-related side effects, and your prescriber may adjust the dose.
  • Drug interactions: tell your clinician about all medicines you take, including medicines bought without a prescription and supplements. Some medicines can affect kidney function.
  • Pregnancy/breastfeeding: discuss the risks and benefits with your clinician.

Possible side effects

Side effects vary from person to person and can 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 the reach of children.
  • Do not use after the expiry date on the carton.
Medically reviewed by
Brian Holtry
MD, infectious diseases specialist and medical writer
Updated 6 August 2026

Customer questions

Asked by Fiona, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

My order to Edinburgh has been dispatched. Does that mean the tablets will arrive tomorrow?

Answered by Support team

Dispatch means your order has left us; it does not confirm the delivery day. Express delivery is typically 4-7 days and includes tracking, while Standard delivery is typically 14-21 days and usually has no tracking.

Asked by Martin, Leeds, United Kingdom

I usually recognise Zovirax. Will that name definitely be printed on the package I receive?

Answered by Support team

We cannot guarantee that a particular trade name will appear on the supplied package. Before taking the tablets, check that the label states acyclovir, the selected strength and tablets for oral use.

Asked by Aisha, Coventry, United Kingdom

I live in Coventry and worry about parcels being handled roughly. Can acyclovir tablets normally travel safely by post?

Answered by Support team

Tablets can normally be sent by mail when appropriately packed and kept protected from light and moisture. On arrival, check that the packaging is intact and that the tablets have not become wet, crumbled or visibly changed before use.

Asked by Gareth, Nottingham, United Kingdom

I have started acyclovir for shingles and have a mild headache and nausea. Are these recognised side effects?

Answered by Support team
Medical reviewed by Brian Holtry

Headache, nausea, diarrhoea and dizziness can occur with acyclovir tablets. Seek urgent medical help for signs of a serious allergic reaction, severe confusion, very little urine or severe persistent vomiting.

Product specifications

Active ingredientAcyclovir
Drug classAntiviral
Dosage formTablet
Available strengths200 mg, 400 mg, 800 mg
RouteOral
StorageStore at 15°C to 25°C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture.
ATC codeJ05AB01

Regulatory information

United Kingdom: aciclovir medicine status
Prescription statusOral aciclovir tablets are prescription-only medicines in the United Kingdom.
Registration statusThe UK authorisation status must be verified for the specific product, strength, pharmaceutical form and marketing authorisation holder; the name Zovirax alone does not confirm registration of these tablets.
NHS medicine informationThe NHS provides patient information on aciclovir, including its uses, how to take it and important safety advice.
NHS supplyAciclovir may be supplied on an NHS prescription when clinically appropriate; prescription charges and exemptions vary between UK nations.
Safety monitoringSuspected side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

More information