Herpes Medication Comparison Chart
Below is a comparison chart designed to help you assess the cost and requirements of prescription herpes drugs.
Warning
The chart contains only a general dosage guideline as outlined in the drug manufacturer’s prescribing information. PLEASE NOTE that this guide is merely to demonstrate the possible differences in convenience of taking each treatment and IS NOT to be used as a recommended dosage under any circumstance.
These medications are only available by prescription. You must consult a doctor for information about using these drugs for your particular situation.
Prices are a rough estimate and will vary greatly depending on the particular retail market and source. If you are covered by medical insurance, some of these prices may be subsidized dramatically.
Herpes Medication: | Valtrex® (Valacyclovir) | Zovirax® (Acyclovir) | Famvir® (Famciclovir) |
*Average Retail Price (recommended retail) | $203.28 per 30 tablets (500mg) Typically treats up to 5 outbreaks. The above figure is based on typical Episodic use, i.e., the pills are taken only when you have an outbreak. $362.55 per 30 tablets (1g) Estimated cost for 12 months on VALTREX® pills = Between $2313.52 to $4350.60(depending on the dose prescribed). The above figure is based on typical Suppressive use - i.e., the pills are taken every day to prevent an outbreak. | $90.98 per 90 tablets (200mg) Typically treats 3 outbreaks. The above figure is based on typical Episodic use, i.e., the pills are taken only when you have an outbreak. $203.03 per 90 tablets (400mg Estimated cost for 12 months on ZOVIRAX® pills =$1624.24 The above figure is based on typical Suppressive use - i.e., the pills are taken every day to prevent an outbreak. | $351.46 per 30 tablets (500mg) Typically treats up to 7 outbreaks. The above figure is based on typical Episodic use, i.e., the pills are taken only when you have an outbreak. $175.01 per 30 tablets (250mg Estimated cost for 12 months on FAMVIR® pills = $4200.24 The above figure is based on typical Suppressive use - i.e., the pills are taken every day to prevent an outbreak. |
Typical Application & Dosage | Take VALTREX® by mouth strictly and only as directed by your health care professional. Manufacturer’s recommended dose for recurrent Genital Herpes infections: Episodic: 500mg twice daily for 3 days. Start as soon as symptoms begin, may not be effective if started more than 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Suppressive: 1 gram once daily (or 500mg once daily depending on the case). Please consult your doctor for your specific dosage. | Take ZOVIRAX® by mouth strictly and only as directed by your health care professional. Manufacturer’s recommended dose for recurrent Genital Herpes infections: Episodic: 200mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 5 days. Start as soon as symptoms begin, may not be effective if started more than 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Suppressive: 400 mg 2 times daily (for up to 12 months, followed by re-evaluation). Please consult your doctor for your specific dosage. | Take FAMVIR® by mouth strictly and only as directed by your health care professional. Manufacturer’s recommended dose for recurrent Genital Herpes infections: Episodic: 1000mg twice daily for 1 day. Start as soon as symptoms begin, may not be effective if started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms. Suppressive: 250mg twice daily for up to 1 year. Please consult your doctor for your specific dosage. |
Possible Side Effects | General side effects that may, but not always, occur: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain; headache; dizziness; or tremors. Full list of possible Side Effects of VALTREX®: General: Facial edema (facial swelling), hypertension (high blood pressure), tachycardia (fast heart rate). Allergic: Acute hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis (a life-threatening type of allergic reaction), angioedema (swelling similar to hives), dyspnea (shortness of breath), pruritus (itching), rash, and urticaria (hives). Nervous: Aggressive behavior; agitation; ataxia (loss of coordination); coma; confusion; decreased consciousness; dysarthria (disturbance of speech); encephalopathy (degenerative brain disease); mania; and psychosis (irrational thoughts and fears), including auditory and visual hallucinations; seizures, tremors. Eye: Visual abnormalities. Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea. Hepatobiliary Tract and Pancreas: Liver enzyme abnormalities, hepatitis. Renal: Elevated creatinine, renal failure (kidney failure). Hematologic: Thrombocytopenia (low platelet [blood cell] count), aplastic anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells), leukocytoclastic vasculitis (a condition that causes inflammation of the small vessels), TTP/HUS (a disease characterised by anemia, kidney failure and a low platelet [blood cell] count). Skin: Erythema multiforme (a skin disease that causes lesions and redness), rashes including photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), alopecia (loss of hair). Detailed information about the side-effects of VALTREX® (Valacyclovir) | General side effects that may, but not always, occur: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or abdominal pain; a headache or light headedness; or joint pain. Full list of possible Side-Effects of ZOVIRAX® (Acyclovir): General: Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening type of allergic reaction), angioedema (swelling similar to hives), fever, headache, pain, peripheral edema (abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs). Nervous: Aggressive behavior, agitation, ataxia (loss of coordination), coma, confusion, decreased consciousness, delirium (severe confusion), dizziness, dysarthria (disturbance of speech), encephalopathy (degenerative brain disease), hallucinations, paresthesia (burning, prickling, tingling, or creeping on the skin), psychosis (irrational thoughts and fears), seizure, somnolence (drowsiness; sleepiness), tremors. These symptoms may be marked, particularly in older adults or in patients with renal (kidney) impairment. Digestive: Diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress (upset stomach and intestines), nausea. Hematologic and Lymphatic: Anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells), leukocytoclastic vasculitis (a condition that causes inflammation of the small vessels), leukopenia (abnormally low white blood cell count), lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), thrombo-cytopenia (when the number of platelets [a type of blood cell] is abnormally low, sometimes associated with abnormal bleeding). Hepatobiliary Tract and Pancreas: Elevated liver function tests, hepatitis, hyperbilirubinemia (elevated levels of bilirubin within the blood), jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Musculoskeletal: Myalgia (muscle pain) Skin: Alopecia (loss of hair), erythema multiforme (a skin disease that causes lesions and redness), photosensitive rash (sensitivity to light), pruritus (itching), rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a severe allergic reaction that can result in skin blistering, fever, and eye damage. It is potentially fatal, and can also cause blindness and disfigurement), toxic epidermal necrolysis (a life-threatening skin disorder characterized by blistering and peeling of the top layer of skin), urticaria (hives). Special Senses: Visual abnormalities. Urogenital: Renal failure (kidney failure), elevated blood urea nitrogen, elevated creatine, hematuria (blood in the urine). Detailed information about the side-effects of ZOVIRAX® (Acyclovir) | General side effects that may, but not always, occur: Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, pruritus (itching). Full list of possible Side Effects of FAMVIR®: Nervous System: Headache, Paresthesia (burning, prickling, tingling, or creeping on the skin), Migraine Gastro-intestinal: Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Flatulence, Abdominal Pain Body as a Whole: Fatigue Skin and Appendages: Pruritus (itching), Rash Reproductive Female: Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) Adverse events that have been reported during post-approval of FAMVIR®: urticaria (hives), hallucinations and confusion -- including delirium (severe confusion), disorientation, confusional state, occurring predominantly in the elderly. Detailed information about the side-effects of FAMVIR® (Famciclovir) |
Drug Interactions | If taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may take including cimetidine or probenecid. Please consult your Doctor before use. | If taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may take in conjunction with ZOVIRAX®. Please consult your Doctor before use. | If taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining with probenecid (Benemid), a drug used to treat gout (a type of arthritis). Please consult your Doctor before use. |
Efficacy | VALTREX® is This drug is not proven to work if taken more than 24 hours after the onset (beginning) of symptoms. Episodic: This form of VALTREX® treatment can be helpful in clearing the outbreak once symptoms begin. Suppressive: This form of VALTREX® treatment can be helpful in preventing recurrences, clearing the active outbreak and in reducing viral shedding. | ZOVIRAX® only works while you are taking the drug and will not work when you stop taking it. This drug is not proven to work if taken more than 24 hours after the onset (beginning) of symptoms. Episodic: This form of ZOVIRAX® treatment can be helpful in clearing the outbreak once symptoms begin. Suppressive: This form of ZOVIRAX® treatment can be helpful in preventing recurrences, clearing the active outbreak and in reducing viral shedding. | FAMVIR® only works while you are taking the drug and will not work when you stop taking it. This drug is not proven to work if taken more than 6 hours after the onset (beginning) of symptoms. Episodic: This form of FAMVIR® treatment can be helpful in clearing the outbreak once symptoms begin. Suppressive: This form of FAMVIR® treatment can be helpful in preventing recurrences, clearing the active outbreak and in reducing viral shedding. |
Safety Precautions | Tell your doctor if you have any kidney disease, blood disorders or if you have any allergies. VALTREX® should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. VALTREX® should be administered to a nursing mother with caution and only when indicated. Patients should be advised to maintain adequate hydration. Do not stop VALTREX® or change your dosage without talking to your healthcare provider. Safety Considerations with VALTREX® (Valacyclovir) | Tell your doctor if you have any kidney disease, blood disorders or if you have any allergies. ZOVIRAX® should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. ZOVIRAX® should be administered to a nursing mother with caution and only when indicated. Patients should be advised to maintain adequate hydration. Do not stop ZOVIRAX® or change your dosage without talking to your healthcare provider. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way ZOVIRAX® works. Safety considerations with ZOVIRAX® (Acyclovir) | Tell your doctor if you have any kidney disease, blood disorders or if you have any allergies. FAMVIR® (famciclovir) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the product, its components, and Denavir® (penciclovir cream). FAMVIR® should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. FAMVIR® should be administered to a nursing mother with caution and only when indicated. Patients should be advised to maintain adequate hydration. Do not stop FAMVIR® or change your dosage without talking to your healthcare provider. Safety Considerations with FAMVIR® (Famciclovir) |
