acyclovir vs atovaquone/proguanil
Side-by-side comparison of acyclovir and atovaquone/proguanil Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Zovirax
Malarone
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by certain viruses.
Malarone is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria. It contains two medicines, atovaquone and proguanil, that work together to kill the malaria parasite.
Acyclovir is used to treat shingles, which is caused by herpes zoster. It also treats genital herpes, both the first time you have it and when it comes back. Acyclovir can also treat chickenpox.
Malarone is used to prevent malaria, especially in areas where the malaria parasite is resistant to chloroquine. It is also used to treat malaria infections that are not severe. Malarone can be effective even when other malaria drugs don't work well.
Acyclovir stops the virus from growing and spreading. It does this by interfering with the virus's ability to make copies of itself. This helps your body fight off the infection.
Malarone contains two active ingredients: atovaquone and proguanil. Atovaquone stops the malaria parasite's energy production. Proguanil disrupts the parasite's ability to multiply. Together, they kill the parasite and treat or prevent malaria.
- • Malaise (feeling unwell)
- • Nausea
- • Diarrhea
- • Abdominal pain
- • Headache
- • Cough
- • Vomiting
- • Diarrhea
- Tiredness 7,612
- Diarrhea 7,064
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 5,797
- Lung infection 5,474
- Feeling sick to your stomach 5,330
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 737
- Fever 429
- Diarrhea 408
- The medicine is not working 387
- Feeling sick to your stomach 370
Acyclovir can cause nervous system problems, especially in older adults or people with kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before taking this medicine.
Elevated liver tests, hepatitis, and liver failure have been reported with Malarone. If you have severe kidney problems, do not use Malarone to prevent malaria. Malarone has not been tested for treating severe malaria affecting the brain, lungs, or kidneys.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if acyclovir will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking acyclovir while breastfeeding.
It is not known if Malarone can harm an unborn baby. Pregnant women should continue taking folate supplements. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this medicine.
Also Compare — Nearby Drugs
Compare acyclovir with
How to Read This acyclovir vs atovaquone/proguanil Comparison
acyclovir is classified in the Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog) drug class, while atovaquone/proguanil sits within the Antimalarial Combination class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, acyclovir has 31,277 submissions while atovaquone/proguanil has 2,331. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between acyclovir and atovaquone/proguanil — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.