Aciclovir
Aciclobene, Aciclostad, Aciclovir, Activir - Fieberblasen · ATC code J05AB01
Also known as: Asiklovir, Acyclovir · Brand names: Aciclobene, Aciclostad, Activir - Fieberblasen, Herpesmed, Viromed, Xorox, Zovirax, Acic, Aciclo, Aciclobeta, Acivision, Acyclovir Denk, Dynexan Herpescreme, Sitavig, Virupos …
- Key facts
- Active substance
- Aciclovir
- Drug class
- Direct acting antiviral
- ATC code
- J05AB01
- Authorisation
- authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
- Information as of
- 2026-10-27
Key facts
Aciclovir is an antiviral nucleoside analogue. Per the US prescribing information, it is used orally to treat herpes zoster, genital herpes and chickenpox.
What it is used for
- Acute treatment of herpes zoster (shingles)
- Treatment of initial episodes and management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes
- Treatment of chickenpox (varicella)
Dosing
- Herpes zoster: 800 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days
- Initial genital herpes: 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days
- Chronic suppressive therapy for recurrences: 400 mg 2 times daily for up to 12 months, then re-evaluation
- Intermittent therapy: 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 5 days, started at the earliest sign of recurrence
- Chickenpox, children 2 years and older: 20 mg/kg per dose 4 times daily for 5 days; adults and children over 40 kg: 800 mg 4 times daily for 5 days
- Dose is modified in renal impairment (table in the full text); in hemodialysis an additional dose is given after each dialysis
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir
Important warnings
- Renal failure, in some cases fatal, has been observed with acyclovir therapy
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS), including deaths, in immunocompromised patients
- Capsules are for oral ingestion only
Side effects
- Nausea and/or vomiting (short-term genital herpes treatment: 2.7%)
- Long-term administration: nausea (4.8%) and diarrhea (2.4%)
- Herpes zoster: malaise (11.5%, placebo 11.1%)
- Chickenpox: diarrhea (3.2%)
Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.
Common questions – ask Medelix
For patients
Patient information (US)
This product has no separate US patient information.
Authorisation and brand names by country
Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.
Austria
- AciclobeneTeva B.V · 2 register entries
- AciclostadStada Arzneimittel Gmbh · 2 register entries
- Aciclovir1a Pharma Gmbh, +pharma Arzneimittel Gmbh, Noridem Enterprises Ltd, Accord Healthcare B.V., Hikma Farmacêutica (Portugal), S.A. · 7 register entries
- Activir - FieberblasenHaleon - Gebro Consumer Health Gmbh · 1 register entry
- HerpesmedVectans Pharma · 1 register entry
- ViromedS.Med Handelsgmbh · 1 register entry
- XoroxAgepha Pharma S.R.O · 1 register entry
- ZoviraxGlaxosmithkline Pharma Gmbh. · 3 register entries
Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28
Germany
- AcicHexal Ag · 3 register entries
- AcicloBasics Gmbh · 1 register entry
- AciclobetaBetapharm Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
- AciclostadStadapharm Gmbh, Stada Consumer Health Deutschland Gmbh · 3 register entries
- Aciclovir089pharm Gmbh, 1 A Pharma Gmbh, Ratiopharm Gmbh, Altan Pharmaceuticals S.A., Heumann Pharma Gmbh & Co. Generica Kg, Noridem Enterprises Ltd, Accord Healthcare B.V., Aristo Pharma Gmbh (Art 57), Hikma Farmacêutica (Portugal), S.A., Puren Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg, Abz-Pharma Gmbh, Aliud Pharma Gmbh · 20 register entries
- AcivisionOmnivision Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Acyclovir DenkDenk Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg · 2 register entries
- Dynexan HerpescremeChemische Fabrik Kreussler & Co. Gmbh · 1 register entry
- SitavigVectans Pharma · 1 register entry
- ViruposUrsapharm Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
- WarivironWalter Ritter Gmbh + Co. Kg · 1 register entry
- XoroxAgepha Pharma S.R.O · 1 register entry
Show all 13 brand names
- ZoviraxGlaxosmithkline Gmbh & Co. Kg, Haleon Germany Gmbh · 2 register entries
Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28
Turkey
- AcylMETİN SAĞLIK ECZA DEPOSU İLAÇ SAN.VE TİC.LTD.ŞTİ · 1 register entry
- AklovirSANDOZ İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 4 register entries
- AsimplexPOLİFARMA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
- AsiraxVEM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- AsiviralTERRA İLAÇ VE KİMYA SAN. TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
- HernovirNOBEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
- HerpevisAROMA İLAÇ SAN. LTD. ŞTİ. · 2 register entries
- Klovireks-LGENSENTA İLAÇ SANAYİ VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- UlkavirULKAR KİMYA SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
- VirosilSABA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
- ZovaloxHAVER TRAKYA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- ZoviraxGLAXOSMİTHKLİNE İLAÇLARI SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16
USA
- ZoviraxBausch Health US, LLC · 2 register entries
Source: U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), as of 2026-10-28
Brand names in 27 more European countries
- Belgium
- Aciclovir Ab, Aciclovir Agepha, Aciclovir Eg, Aciclovir Gsk, Aciclovir Hikma, Aciclovir Hospira, Aciclovir I.V Gsk, Aciclovir Labialis Eg, Aciclovir Labialis Teva, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Sandoz, Vionox, Viratop, Zovirax Labialis
- Bulgaria
- Ацик, Ацикловир Абр, Ацикловир Акорд, Ацикловир Ал, Ацикловир Вижън, Ацикловир Ромфарм, Ацикловир Стада, Ациклостад, Зовиракс, Кливис, Медовир, Херпекс
- Croatia
- Aciklovir Accord, Aciklovir Alpha-Medical, Aciklovir Noridem, Bravilon, Herplex, Herplexim, Viranti, Virolex, Xorox, Zovirax
- Cyprus
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Noridem, Cyclovax, Medovir, Medovyne, Syntovir, Verpir, Virucid, Xorox, Zovirax
- Czechia
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Olikla, Acyclostad, Bravilon, Herpesin, Herpovir, Provirsan, Xorox, Zirvin, Zovirax
- Denmark
- Aciclodan, Aciclovir, Acivir, Virono, Xorox, Zovir
- Estonia
- Acic, Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Actavis, Aciclovir Agepha, Aciclovir Baxter, Aciclovir Siromed, Acyclovir Stada, Bravilon, Medovir
- Finland
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Pfizer, Aciclovir Sandoz, Aclovir, Acyclostad, Acyrax, Herpolips, Virono, Xorox, Zovirax
- France
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Agepha, Aciclovir Almus, Aciclovir Arrow, Aciclovir Biogaran, Aciclovir Conseil Cristers, Aciclovir Cristers, Aciclovir Eg, Aciclovir Hikma, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Sandoz, Aciclovir Teva, Aciclovir Viatris, Aciclovir Zentiva, Aciclovir Zydus, Activir, Herpesedermyl, Kendix, Virpax, Zovirax
- Greece
- Aciclovir Vocate, Cevinolon, Cycloviran, Erpizon, Helposol, Medolone, Uniplex, Verpir, Zidovimm, Zovirax
- Hungary
- Aciclovir Agepha, Aciclovir Al, Aciclovir Azevedos, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Stada, Adavantis, Bravilon, Herpesin, Lipovir, Telviran, Virolex, Zovirax
- Iceland
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Alvogen, Virono, Xorox, Zovir, Zovirax
- Ireland
- Acic, Aciclovir Agepha, Aciclovir Azevedos, Aciclovir Baxter, Aciclovir Noridem Enterprises, Aciclovir Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Aciclovir Syri Pharma, Viralief, Zovirax
- Italy
- Aciclin, Aciclinlabiale, Aciclovir Abc, Aciclovir Almus, Aciclovir Alter, Aciclovir Aurobindo, Aciclovir Doc Generici, Aciclovir Dorom, Aciclovir Eg, Aciclovir Hikma, Aciclovir Mylan Generics, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Pensa, Aciclovir Sandoz, Aciclovir Zentiva, Acklab, Acy, Alovexlabiale, Amodivyr, Citivir, Civral, Dravyr, Efrivirallabiale, Herpmed Labiale, Tuclor, Xorox, Zoviraxlabiale
- Latvia
- Acic, Aciclovir Accord Healthcare, Aciclovir Actavis, Aciclovir Jonax Stada, Aciclovir Medochemie, Acyclovir Stada, Bravilon, Herpelāns, Heviran, Xorox
- Lithuania
- Acic, Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Actavis, Aciclovir Baxter, Aciclovir Ingen Pharma, Aciclovir Medochemie, Aciclovir Siromed Stada Arzneimittel, Acyclovir Stada, Bravilon, Virolex
- Luxembourg
- Aciclovir, Virono, Xorox, Zovirax Labialis
- Malta
- Medovir, Uniplex, Virucid, Xorox, Zovirax
- Netherlands
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Agepha, Aciclovir Aurobindo, Aciclovir Baxter, Aciclovir Centrafarm, Aciclovir Cf, Aciclovir Hikma, Aciclovir Hospira, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Ratiopharm, Aciclovir Sandoz, Aciclovir Teva, Albert Heijn Koortslipcrème Aciclovir Healthypharm, Herpirax, Koortslipcrème, Virono Navamedic, Zovirax
- Norway
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Pfizer, Antix, Sitavig, Virepsil, Xorox, Zovirax
- Poland
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Altan, Aciclovir Aurovitas, Aciclovir Hikma, Aciclovir Jelfa, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Ziaja, Acix, Acyclovir Biofarm, Acyklowir Promedo, Axoviral, Devir, Hascovir, Herpex, Heviran, Invirum, Klivis, Viru-Pos, Xorox, Zovirax Intensive
- Portugal
- Aciclosina, Aciclovax - Iv, Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Altan, Aciclovir Aurovitas, Aciclovir Axone, Aciclovir Azevedos, Aciclovir Bluepharma, Aciclovir Ciclum, Aciclovir Corzil Laboratórios Azevedos – Indústria Farmacêutica, Aciclovir Generis, Aciclovir Germed, Aciclovir Hikma, Aciclovir Labesfal, Aciclovir Livixon, Aciclovir Medochemie, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Reig Jofre, Aciclovir Tolife, Aciclovir Vida, Aciclovir Vitória, Cicloviral, Divicil, Erpesin, Hermix, Herpmed, Holvir, Lipovir, Virupos, Xorox, Zov, Zovirax
- Romania
- Acevirex, Aciclovir, Bravilon, Viricin, Virolex, Xorox, Zirvin
- Slovakia
- Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Olikla, Acyclovir Stada, Bravilon, Herpesin, Medovir, Opalix, Telviran, Zovirax
- Slovenia
- Aciclovir Noridem, Aciklovir Accord, Aciklovir Noridem, Virolex, Vopir, Xorox
- Spain
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Altan, Aciclovir Aristo, Aciclovir Aurovitas, Aciclovir Brill Pharma, Aciclovir Cinfa, Aciclovir Cuve, Aciclovir Hikma, Aciclovir Kern Pharma, Aciclovir Mabo, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Normon, Aciclovir Pensa, Aciclovir Sala, Aciclovir Sandoz, Aciclovir Stada Genéricos, Aciclovir Tedec, Aciclovir Teva, Aciclovir Viatris, Aciclovir Vir, Lavirk, Sitavig, Viruderm, Xorox, Zovicrem Labial, Zovirax
- Sweden
- Aciclovir Accord, Aciclovir Noridem, Aciclovir Orion, Aciclovir Pfizer, Aciclovir Ranbaxy, Aciclovir Sandoz, Aciklovir Abece, Aciklovir Stada, Anti, Geavir, Herpzyl, Virono, Xorox, Zovirax
EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28
Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.
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Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Acyclovir (Carlsbad Technology, Inc.) – Prescribing Information, 2024-08-26. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-27. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=37499620-6a17-40f1-b0db-dd79320ea21d
- EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
- EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
- TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
- U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), 2026-10-28. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/
- Wikidata (CC0): ATC J05AB.
Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.