acyclovir vs baloxavir marboxil
Side-by-side comparison of acyclovir and baloxavir marboxil Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Zovirax
Xofluza
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by certain viruses.
Xofluza is an antiviral medicine that can treat the flu. It can also prevent the flu if you have been around someone who is sick.
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.
Xofluza is used to treat the flu in people 5 years and older. You must have had flu symptoms for no more than 48 hours. It can also be used to prevent the flu after you have been in contact with someone who has the flu. Keep in mind that the flu virus can change over time, so Xofluza may not always work.
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.
Xofluza stops the flu virus from making more copies of itself in your body. It does this by blocking a protein the virus needs to grow. This helps you get better faster or prevents you from getting sick.
- • Malaise (feeling unwell)
- • Nausea
- • Diarrhea
- • Diarrhea
- • Bronchitis
- • Nausea
- • Sinusitis
- • Vomiting (in children)
- 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
- No Adverse Event 518
- Off Label Use 419
- Intentional Product Use Issue 283
- Diarrhoea 129
- Vomiting 120
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.
Xofluza can cause allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, hives, or swelling. Xofluza is not for children under 5 years old because it may not work as well in this age group. Xofluza does not prevent bacterial infections, which can happen with the flu. See a doctor if you think you have a bacterial infection.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. The benefits of taking Xofluza should be weighed against any potential risks to the baby. It is not known if Xofluza passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Xofluza.
Also Compare — Nearby Drugs
Compare acyclovir with
How to Read This acyclovir vs baloxavir marboxil Comparison
acyclovir is classified in the Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog) drug class, while baloxavir marboxil sits within the Endonuclease Inhibitor (Antiviral) 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 baloxavir marboxil has 1,469. 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 baloxavir marboxil — 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.