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avaclyr

Avaclyr (Acyclovir) is a herpes simplex virus nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitor used to treat Chickenpox, Herpes Genitalis, Herpes Labialis, Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus.

Acyclovir · by Fera Pharms LLC

Available as a generic: Acyclovir

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 30, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass
~$4.83 /30
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Key facts

Active ingredient
Acyclovir
Form
Topical
Strength
Acyclovir 3% **Federal Register Determination That Product was not Discontinued or Withdrawn for Safety or Effectiveness reasons**
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
Manufacturer
Fera Pharms LLC
Half-life
about 2.5 to 3.3 hours (how long it stays in your system)
What the pharmacy pays
~$4.83 for 30 — not your price
FDA application
NDA202408
Availability
Discontinued (per FDA)

What is Avaclyr?

From the FDA label:Acyclovir is a synthetic herpes simplex virus nucleoside analog DNA polymerase inhibitor. The drug substance is a white crystalline powder with the molecular formula of C 8 H 11 N 5 O 3 and a molecular weight of 225.2. The maximum solubility in water at 25°C is 1.41 mg/mL. The pka's of acyclovir are 2.52 and 9.35. The chemical name of acyclovir is 2-amino-1,9-dihydro-9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]6H-purin-6-one, it has the following chemical structure: AVACLYR is a sterile ointment for topical administration in eyes. Each gram of ointment contains 30 mg of acyclovir in a white petrolatum base. Chemical Structure

How to use

The recommended dosing regimen is to apply a 1 cm ribbon of ointment in the lower cul-de-sac of the affected eye 5 times per day (approximately every 3 hours while awake) until the corneal ulcer heals and then a 1 cm ribbon 3 times per day for 7 days. Apply a 1 cm ribbon in the lower cul-de-sac of the affected eye 5 times per day until healed then 3 times per day for 7 days. ( 2 )

Side effects

The most common adverse reactions (2-10%) reported in patients were eye pain (stinging), punctate keratitis and follicular conjunctivitis. Rare reports of blepharitis and very rare reports of immediate hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema and urticaria have been observed post-marketing in patients taking AVACLYR. The most common adverse reactions (2 to 10%) reported in patients were eye pain (stinging), punctate keratitis and follicular conjunctivitis. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Fera Pharmaceuticals, LLC at (414) 434-6604 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

Warnings

Important safety information

AVACLYR is indicated for topical ophthalmic use. ( 5.1 ) Patients should not wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of herpetic keratitis or during the course of therapy with AVACLYR. ( 5.2 ) 5.1 Topical Ophthalmic Use AVACLYR is indicated for topical ophthalmic use. 5.2 Avoidance of Contact Lenses Patients should not wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of herpetic keratitis or during the course of therapy with AVACLYR. 5.3 Risk of Contamination This product is sterile when packaged. Patients should be advised to not allow the tip of the container to touch any surface, as this may contaminate the ointment. If pain develops, or if redness, itching, or inflammation becomes aggravated, the patient should be advised to consult a physician.

Who should not take Avaclyr

AVACLYR is contraindicated for patients who develop sensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir. AVACLYR is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir.

Overdose — what happens if you take too much

Overdosage of topical application of acyclovir 3% is unlikely because of minimal absorption.

U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.

Interactions

No clinically significant interactions have been identified resulting from topical administration of other drugs concomitantly with AVACLYR.

How long does Acyclovir stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of acyclovir is about 2.5 to 3.3 hours — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. Acyclovir is cleared almost entirely by the kidneys — 62% to 91% of a dose leaves the body as unchanged drug — so the half-life tracks kidney function closely. The IV label tabulates it by creatinine clearance: 2.5 hours at CrCl above 80, 3 hours at 50–80, 3.5 hours at 15–50, and 19.5 hours in anuric patients, roughly an eightfold increase in severe kidney failure. Older adults reach higher plasma levels than younger adults, which the label attributes to age-related decline in renal function rather than to age itself; no separate geriatric half-life is given. There is no active metabolite that outlasts the parent — the only major urinary metabolite named is 9-carboxymethoxymethylguanine (up to 14.1% of the dose), and the label does not report a half-life for it. Liver impairment is not addressed in the pharmacokinetics section, consistent with renal rather than hepatic elimination. No extended-release oral acyclovir is marketed in the US; tablets, capsules, oral suspension and IV all reflect the same short elimination half-life. One drug effect worth naming: probenecid taken with acyclovir lengthens the mean half-life and raises overall exposure.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: Acyclovir Tablets, USP — FDA prescribing information, Clinical Pharmacology (DailyMed).

Drug class

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

See how Avaclyr ranks — best-rated herpes simplex virus nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitor for:

Dosage forms

Topical

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

Ask for the generic

Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →

Request a 90-day supply

Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.

Use copay cards

Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.

Compare alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

What does Avaclyr treat?
Avaclyr (Acyclovir) may be used to treat chickenpox, herpes genitalis, herpes labialis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, AIDS-related opportunistic infections, epstein-barr virus infections, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
How much does Avaclyr cost?
Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $4.83 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
Is there a coupon or discount for Avaclyr?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Avaclyr. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Avaclyr?
Avaclyr is marketed by Fera Pharms LLC. You can see Fera Pharms LLC's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Avaclyr a brand-name or generic drug?
Avaclyr is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Acyclovir. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Acyclovir are available — ask your pharmacist.
Is Avaclyr available over the counter?
No. Avaclyr is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Avaclyr come in?
Avaclyr is currently marketed as topical, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
What class of drug is Avaclyr?
Avaclyr is classified as herpes simplex virus nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitor, herpes zoster virus nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitor, herpesvirus nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitor, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
Is Avaclyr FDA-registered?
Avaclyr is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA202408. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Is Avaclyr safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Avaclyr. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Avaclyr?
Avaclyr's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The most common adverse reactions (2-10%) reported in patients were eye pain (stinging), punctate keratitis and follicular conjunctivitis. Rare reports of blepharitis and very rare reports of immediate hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema and urticaria have been observed post-marketing in… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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