Acyclovir Cream 5% Price and Prescription Availability
Aciclovir cream 5% is an FDA-approved prescription topical antiviral for recurrent cold sores on the lips and face in immunocompetent adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. Patients can review the displayed acyclovir cream 5% price, confirmed tube size and prescription-order options before submitting a request.
The patient selects the displayed medication, package and an available delivery preference. Sweetwater Medical Center transmits the submitted request through the order system, which assigns an eligible licensed pharmacy according to the patient’s ZIP code, pharmacy licensing, service coverage and product availability. The assigned pharmacy validates the prescription, identifies the available finished product, provides the final price, and dispenses and ships the medication.
Aciclovir Cream Product Details
| Medication | Aciclovir Cream 5% |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Acyclovir, 50 mg per gram |
| Product type | Generic prescription topical antiviral |
| Dosage form | Topical cream |
| Displayed package | 5 g tube |
| Manufacturer | Provided by the assigned dispensing pharmacy |
| Country of manufacture | Provided for the available finished product |
| NDC | Provided for the available finished product |
| FDA status | FDA-approved generic topical products are available; the assigned pharmacy identifies the exact finished drug |
| Prescription status | Prescription required |
The image is illustrative. The assigned pharmacy identifies the actual manufacturer, labeling, package and NDC before dispensing.
Aciclovir Cream Availability
The amount below is an approximate starting price for the displayed tube. The assigned dispensing pharmacy identifies the available product and provides the final amount before the order is completed.
| Strength | Package | Approximate price | Per tube |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acyclovir cream 5% | One 5 g tube | From $18 | From $18 |
The final amount may vary according to the prescription, available manufacturer and pharmacy assigned to fulfill the request.
Patients may submit an existing prescription, request a transfer from another pharmacy or select a $20 online medical consultation with Cody R. Christensen, DO, where available. A prescription is issued only when the licensed clinician determines that treatment is medically appropriate.
Prescription and account information is handled according to the Sweetwater Medical Center Privacy Statement.
How to Buy Acyclovir Cream Online for Cold Sores
Patients who want to buy acyclovir cream online for cold sores begin by selecting the displayed 5% cream and 5 g tube. The prescription and submitted ZIP code are then used to route the request to a pharmacy eligible to serve the patient’s location.
Select Acyclovir Cream
Choose the displayed 5% cream, 5 g tube and an available delivery preference.
Provide Location and Prescription Information
Enter the requested ZIP code and submit an existing prescription, request an eligible transfer or select an available medical consultation.
The System Assigns a Licensed Pharmacy
The order system identifies a pharmacy according to destination, licensing, service coverage and ability to process the cream request.
Pharmacy Review and Cold Sore Cream Delivery
The assigned pharmacy validates the prescription, identifies the available finished product, confirms stock and final price, and provides the available dispensing and shipping options.
Acyclovir Cream Prescription Fulfillment and Delivery
Sweetwater Medical Center displays approximate product and price information and transmits the submitted request through the pharmacy-order system. It does not independently validate the prescription, guarantee inventory, select the manufacturer or ship the cream.
The assigned pharmacy receives the request and determines whether the prescription can be filled. It identifies the available manufacturer, country of manufacture, package and NDC; confirms the final price and destination eligibility; and dispenses and ships the medication. Patients seeking an acyclovir cream prescription online should use the secure order pathway rather than send medical information through a general contact form.
Acyclovir Cream 5% for Recurrent Cold Sores
Acyclovir cream 5% is indicated for recurrent herpes labialis, commonly called cold sores, on the external lips and face. It limits replication of herpes simplex virus in treated skin cells, but it does not remove the virus from the body, prevent every recurrence or guarantee that HSV cannot be transmitted.
Application should begin as early as possible after the first tingling, burning, itching or visible lesion appears. The approved indication is specific: cream intended for cold sores should not be promoted as a treatment for shingles, chickenpox, eye infections or internal genital lesions.
Generic Zovirax Cream and Acyclovir 5 g Tube Options
Zovirax Cream is the reference brand associated with topical acyclovir 5%. An FDA-approved generic Zovirax cream may contain the same strength and active ingredient, while its manufacturer, inactive ingredients, tube appearance, package labeling and NDC can differ.
The confirmed U.S. package presented on this page is an acyclovir 5 g tube. A larger tube should not be represented as a U.S. catalog option unless the exact finished product, label and lawful supply pathway have been verified. The assigned pharmacy supplies the identity of the product available for the prescription.
Acyclovir Cream vs Ointment and Oral Aciclovir
Acyclovir cream and ointment are different finished dosage forms with different labeling. The 5% cream is FDA approved for recurrent cold sores on the lips and face, whereas topical ointment has different indications and package sizes. Patients should not substitute one topical product for another based only on the active ingredient.
Oral acyclovir reaches the body systemically and may be prescribed for genital herpes, shingles, chickenpox or recurrent infections that require oral treatment. Patients can compare the separate prescription options for oral Aciclovir tablets and capsules, but a prescriber must decide whether topical or oral therapy matches the diagnosis.
How to Apply Acyclovir Cream 5%
FDA labeling directs patients to apply acyclovir cream five times per day for four days, beginning as soon as possible when cold sore symptoms or lesions appear. Adolescents 12 years and older use the same labeled schedule as adults, but every patient should follow the prescription and instructions supplied with the dispensed product.
| Treatment detail | Label direction | Practical precaution |
|---|---|---|
| Application area | Affected cold sore area on external lips or face | Do not apply in the eyes or inside the mouth or nose |
| Frequency | Five applications per day | Use at approximately regular intervals while awake |
| Duration | Four days | Contact a clinician if symptoms worsen or fail to improve |
| Timing | Start at the earliest sign or when a lesion appears | Wash hands before and after application |
Apply enough cream to cover the affected area, using clean hands to reduce irritation and avoid spreading infection to another area. Do not use occlusive dressings, cosmetics or other topical products over the lesion unless the prescriber or pharmacist advises that they are appropriate.
Acyclovir Cream Cost Without Insurance
The price of prescription cream can vary widely according to the available generic or brand product, pharmacy, tube size and cash-payment or insurance terms. The amount in the upper table is an approximate starting figure, not a guaranteed retail charge.
Patients should compare the price for the complete prescribed tube rather than extrapolate a price per gram from ointment or an overseas package. The final product and amount are supplied by the assigned pharmacy before completion. Patients who order cold sore cream online should also confirm that the pharmacy requires a valid prescription for acyclovir cream 5%.
Acyclovir Cream Side Effects and Application Warnings
The most frequently reported effects are local skin reactions such as dryness, flaking, burning, stinging, itching or redness at the application site. Acyclovir cream should be used only on external cold sore lesions and should not be applied in the eye, inside the mouth or nose, or to unaffected skin.
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about previous reactions to acyclovir, valacyclovir or any cream ingredient. Systemic interactions are considered unlikely because topical absorption is minimal, but patients should still disclose other topical products and prescription medicines.
Stop using the cream and obtain urgent medical help for facial or throat swelling, difficulty breathing, widespread rash or another sign of a serious allergic reaction; contact a healthcare professional if local irritation becomes severe or the cold sore worsens.
- Do not use the cream for an undiagnosed lesion or for infections outside its labeled treatment area.
- Avoid touching the eyes after application and wash hands when finished.
- Do not share the tube, even with a person who appears to have similar symptoms.
Medical Disclaimer
This page provides general information about acyclovir cream and the pharmacy-order process. It does not replace diagnosis, a valid prescription or an individual treatment plan, and not every lip or facial lesion is caused by herpes simplex virus.
An online consultation does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued or that topical acyclovir is appropriate. Seek urgent medical care for a severe allergic reaction, eye involvement, rapidly spreading lesions or serious symptoms.
Acyclovir Cream Price and Online Prescription FAQ
Where can I buy acyclovir cream online?
Use a secure service that requires a valid prescription and routes the request to a licensed dispensing pharmacy. The pharmacy confirms the exact cream, availability and final price before dispensing.
How much does acyclovir cream 5% cost?
The cost depends on the manufacturer, tube size, pharmacy and insurance or cash-payment terms. The table above shows an approximate starting amount, while the assigned pharmacy provides the final charge.
Can I get acyclovir cream prescribed online?
An online medical consultation may be available where permitted. A licensed clinician issues a prescription only when the lesion and treatment request are medically appropriate.
Is acyclovir cream available over the counter?
Acyclovir cream 5% is a prescription medication in the United States. It should not be confused with nonprescription cold sore products containing different active ingredients.
Is generic acyclovir cream cheaper than Zovirax?
Generic and brand prices can differ by pharmacy, availability and coverage. The assigned pharmacy identifies the available product and provides the final amount before dispensing.
Related Acyclovir and Cold Sore Information
These Sweetwater Medical Center resources explain how topical and oral antivirals are selected and why a correct diagnosis matters.
Medical References
Pharmacist Review of Acyclovir Cream Information
The medication information on this page, including the approved indication, strength, tube size, prescription requirement, application schedule, precautions, common adverse effects and urgent warnings, was reviewed by Veronica K. Donaldson, PharmD, Pharmacist — Wyoming Pharmacist License 2669; NPI 1003968520.
This pharmacist review applies to the published medication information and does not approve an individual prescription or order. The pharmacy assigned during the order process remains responsible for validating the prescription, identifying the available finished product, confirming inventory and final price, and dispensing and shipping the medication.
Last pharmacist review: 08.05.2026.