VALTREX vs ZOVIRAX

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 21, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. VALTREX and ZOVIRAX are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	VALTREX	ZOVIRAX
Rating	70/100	70/100
Pharmacy pays	~$7.02 /30	~$4.83 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	VALACYCLOVIR HYDROCHLORIDE	ACYCLOVIR SODIUM
Manufacturer	Glaxosmithkline	Glaxosmithkline
Dosage forms	Tablet	Topical
Drug class	Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog Dna Polymerase Inhibitor	Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog Dna Polymerase Inhibitor
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	—	about 2.5 to 3.3 hours
Treats	Chickenpox, Herpes Genitalis, Herpes Labialis	Chickenpox, Herpes Genitalis, Herpes Labialis

valtrex zovirax

Rating

70/100

Pharmacy pays

~$7.02 /30

~$4.83 /30

Type

Active ingredient

VALACYCLOVIR HYDROCHLORIDE

ACYCLOVIR SODIUM

Manufacturer

Glaxosmithkline

Dosage forms

Tablet

Topical

Drug class

Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog Dna Polymerase Inhibitor

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

—

about 2.5 to 3.3 hours

Treats

Chickenpox, Herpes Genitalis, Herpes Labialis

Get valtrexhigher-rated option

Advertising disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our independent ratings.

Get treatment online

Licensed online providers — consult & get prescribed if eligible.

SesameCompare online visit prices

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Valtrex or Zovirax?

Valtrex and Zovirax are tied at 3.5 out of 5 by our independent rating.

Which is cheaper, Valtrex or Zovirax?

Zovirax costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $4.83 vs $7.02 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Valtrex and Zovirax?

Valtrex contains Valacyclovir Hydrochloride, while Zovirax contains Acyclovir Sodium — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.