What it's used for
Acyclovir is used for the acute treatment of shingles and chickenpox. Additionally, it is prescribed for treating initial episodes and managing recurring episodes of genital herpes.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
For acute shingles, the usual dose is 800 mg every 4 hours five times daily for 7 to 10 days. For initial genital herpes, the dose is 200 mg every 4 hours five times daily for 10 days.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Boxed warning / key safety info
Renal failure, in some cases resulting in death, has been observed with acyclovir therapy.
Common side effects
The most frequent adverse event reported during short-term treatment of genital herpes is nausea and/or vomiting.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other antibiotics & antivirals medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Acyclovir cost without insurance
Cash prices for Acyclovir without insurance vary widely by pharmacy, strength and quantity — the same prescription can cost very different amounts at two pharmacies in the same town. That is the problem a membership solves.
Acyclovir is on Tab's covered $0 generic list. With an active Tab membership, every covered strength is $0 — not a percentage off, not a coupon that changes month to month — at participating pharmacies nationwide or through mail order. You do not need insurance, and Tab works whether or not you have a health plan.
Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications require a prescription from a licensed clinician.
Acyclovir dosage and administration
Acute Treatment of Herpes Zoster : 800 mg every 4 hours orally, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days. Genital Herpes : Treatment of Initial Genital Herpes: 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days. Chronic Suppressive Therapy for Recurrent Disease: 400 mg 2 times daily for up to 12 months, followed by re-evaluation. Alternative regimens have included doses ranging from 200 mg 3 times daily to 200 mg 5 times daily. The frequency and severity of episodes of untreated genital herpes may change over time. After 1 year of therapy, the frequency and severity of the patient's genital herpes infection should be re-evaluated to assess the need for continuation of therapy with acyclovir. Intermittent Therapy: 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 5 days. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest sign or symptom (prodrome) of recurrence.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Acyclovir side effects
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 in 586 patients treated with acyclovir were nausea (4.8%) and diarrhea (2.4%). The 589 control patients receiving intermittent treatment of recurrences with acyclovir for 1 year reported diarrhea (2.7%), nausea (2.4%), and headache (2.2%).
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Who should not take acyclovir
Acyclovir is contraindicated for patients who develop hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is acyclovir covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Acyclovir is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get acyclovir through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
How do I get an acyclovir prescription with Tab?
Book a video visit with a licensed Tab clinician (unlimited visits are included with membership). If it's clinically appropriate, they send the prescription to your chosen participating pharmacy or by mail order.
How much does acyclovir cost without insurance?
Without insurance, retail cash prices for acyclovir vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity. Acyclovir is on Tab's covered $0 generic list, so every covered strength is $0 with an active Tab membership at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
What is the cheapest way to get acyclovir?
For medications on Tab's covered list, a Tab membership is the cheapest route: covered strengths of acyclovir are $0 with an active membership, and unlimited video visits with a licensed clinician are included, so the visit that produces the prescription is covered too.
What is the usual dose of acyclovir?
Acute Treatment of Herpes Zoster : 800 mg every 4 hours orally, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days. Genital Herpes : Treatment of Initial Genital Herpes: 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days. Chronic Suppressive Therapy for Recurrent Disease: 400 mg 2 times daily for up to 12 months, followed by re-evaluation. Alternative regimens have included doses ranging from 200 mg 3 times daily to 200 mg 5 times daily. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of acyclovir?
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. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with acyclovir?
See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics . (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Acyclovir is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
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