How much does Zovirax cost?

Pricing for Zovirax varies by insurance plan, dose, and pharmacy. Our database does not show a fixed cost because prices change faster than we can verify. For current pharmacy prices, check your insurance's formulary tier (in the prior-authorization section), use the GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs deep links on this page, or ask your pharmacist to run a test claim. If a copay card is listed, it usually drops the out-of-pocket significantly for commercial insurance.

Does Zovirax need prior authorization?

Zovirax appears on 1 payer formulary in our database. PA requirements vary by payer — see the prior-authorization table on this page for specifics. In general, specialty and brand-name drugs are more likely to require PA than generic equivalents.

Is there a copay card or patient assistance program for Zovirax?

Yes — the manufacturer copay card link is available on this page. A patient assistance program is also available for qualifying patients. Eligibility typically depends on insurance type and income. Click the CTA buttons above to apply directly through the manufacturer's portal.

What is Zovirax used to treat?

Zovirax (generic: acyclovir) is indicated for Genital Herpes, Herpes Simplex. Click any condition name on this page for more detail.

Does Zovirax have a generic version?

The generic name for Zovirax is acyclovir. Whether a generic is currently available depends on patent status — check the FDA Orange Book or ask your pharmacist. Generics are often substantially cheaper than brand-name drugs.

Zovirax

Generic: acyclovir

Verified·Apr 23, 2026

Manufacturer: Bausch Health
NDC: 0187-0993
RxCUI: 197312
Route: TOPICAL
ICD-10 indication: B00.9

Affordability Check

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About Zovirax

What is this medication? Zovirax is a prescription antiviral medication, commonly known by its generic name acyclovir, used to treat infections caused by various types of herpes viruses. It is frequently prescribed for the treatment of genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox. The medication works by interfering with the DNA polymerase of the virus, which effectively prevents the virus from multiplying and spreading within the body. This action helps to shorten the duration of an active outbreak and can reduce the associated pain and discomfort.

It is important to understand that while Zovirax treats the symptoms and helps speed up the healing process, it does not provide a permanent cure for these viral infections. The viruses that cause these conditions can stay in the body for long periods, potentially causing future outbreaks even after treatment. Regular use as directed by a healthcare provider can help manage these recurrent episodes and may decrease the risk of transmitting the virus to others. The medication is available in several formats, including oral tablets, liquid suspensions, and topical applications for the skin.

Copay & patient assistance

Patient Copay Amount: $0 (Free)
Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: Not Publicly Available (Medication is provided for up to 1 year per approval)
Core Eligibility Restrictions: Must have limited or no insurance coverage; includes Medicaid patients whose plans no longer cover Bausch Health medications; must have a valid prescription; subject to financial eligibility and application approval.
RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

Copay card →Patient Assistance Program →

External links go directly to the manufacturer's portal. RxCopays does not receive compensation for referrals.

Compare pricing elsewhere

RxCopays doesn't sell drugs or take referral fees. Here are the transparent-pricing directories we recommend checking alongside your insurance formulary.

Cost Plus Drug Company

Mark Cuban's transparent-pricing pharmacy — manufacturer cost + 15% markup + $5 dispensing fee. No insurance needed. Search alphabetically for acyclovir.

Browse Cost Plus medications →

GoodRx

Compare local pharmacy prices with GoodRx coupons. Use the price with your insurance or without — whichever is cheaper.

Lookup Zovirax →

NeedyMeds

Independent nonprofit directory of patient assistance programs, copay cards, and charity co-pay foundations.

Search for acyclovir →

RxAssist

PAP directory maintained by Volunteers in Health Care at Brown University. Free, no ads.

Search PAPs →

We deep-link because transparency helps patients. None of these partners pay RxCopays.

Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Zovirax. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Oct 31, 2020

Indications and usage

INDICATIONS AND USAGE ZOVIRAX Ointment 5% is indicated in the management of initial genital herpes and in limited non-lifethreatening mucocutaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients.

Dosage and administration

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply sufficient quantity to adequately cover all lesions every 3 hours, 6 times per day for 7 days. The dose size per application will vary depending upon the total lesion area but should approximate a one-half inch ribbon of ointment per 4 square inches of surface area. A finger cot or rubber glove should be used when applying ZOVIRAX to prevent autoinoculation of other body sites and transmission of infection to other persons. Therapy should be initiated as early as possible following onset of signs and symptoms.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS ZOVIRAX Ointment 5% is contraindicated in patients who develop hypersensitivity to the components of the formulation.

Warnings

WARNINGS ZOVIRAX Ointment 5% is intended for cutaneous use only and should not be used in the eye.

Drug interactions

Drug Interactions: Clinical experience has identified no interactions resulting from topical or systemic administration of other drugs concomitantly with ZOVIRAX Ointment 5%.

Adverse reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS In the controlled clinical trials, mild pain (including transient burning and stinging) was reported by about 30% of patients in both the active and placebo arms; treatment was discontinued in two of these patients. Local pruritus occurred in 4% of these patients. In all studies, there was no significant difference between the drug and placebo group in the rate or type of reported adverse reactions nor were there any differences in abnormal clinical laboratory findings. Observed During Clinical Practice: Based on clinical practice experience in patients treated with ZOVIRAX Ointment in the U.S., spontaneously reported adverse events are uncommon. Data are insufficient to support an estimate of their incidence or to establish causation. These events may also occur as part of the underlying disease process. Voluntary reports of adverse events that have been received since market introduction include: General: Edema and/or pain at the application site. Skin: Pruritus, rash. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch Health US, LLC at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use in pregnancy

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Acyclovir was not teratogenic in the mouse, rabbit, or rat at exposures greatly in excess of human exposure. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of systemic acyclovir in pregnant women. A prospective epidemiologic registry of acyclovir use during pregnancy was established in 1984 and completed in April 1999. There were 749 pregnancies followed in women exposed to systemic acyclovir during the first trimester of pregnancy resulting in 756 outcomes. The occurrence rate of birth defects approximates that found in the general population. However, the small size of the registry is insufficient to evaluate the risk for less common defects or to permit reliable or definitive conclusions regarding the safety of acyclovir in pregnant women and their developing fetuses. Systemic acyclovir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How Zovirax appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

2 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 1

On 100% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

100%

of covering formularies

Tier	Formularies on this tier	Share
Tier 1 (preferred generic)	1	100%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 100% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 1 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

Payer	PA	Step therapy	Copay tier
— Medicare Part D	—	—	—

Payer

Step therapy

Copay tier

—

Medicare Part D

—

Related drugs

How this page is sourced

Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.