acyclovir vs glecaprevir/pibrentasvir
Side-by-side comparison of acyclovir and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Zovirax
Mavyret
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by certain viruses.
Mavyret is a medicine used to treat hepatitis C (HCV) in adults and children 3 years and older. It contains two drugs, glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, that work together to stop the virus from multiplying.
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.
Mavyret treats hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. It can be used in people without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. Mavyret can also treat genotype 1 in people who have already been treated with certain other HCV medicines.
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.
Mavyret contains glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. Glecaprevir blocks a protein called NS3/4A protease that the virus needs to multiply. Pibrentasvir blocks a protein called NS5A, also needed for the virus to multiply. By blocking these proteins, Mavyret stops the hepatitis C virus from spreading in your body.
- • Malaise (feeling unwell)
- • Nausea
- • Diarrhea
- • Headache
- • Feeling tired
- • Nausea
- 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
- Feeling tired 2,561
- Headache 2,203
- Nausea 1,125
- Itching 653
- Diarrhea 477
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.
Mavyret can cause hepatitis B to become active again if you have had it in the past. This can cause serious liver problems, including liver failure and death. Your doctor will test you for hepatitis B before you start Mavyret. They will also monitor you during and after treatment.
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 Mavyret will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if Mavyret passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking Mavyret.
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How to Read This acyclovir vs glecaprevir/pibrentasvir Comparison
acyclovir is classified in the Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog) drug class, while glecaprevir/pibrentasvir sits within the NS3/4A/NS5A Inhibitor (HCV) 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 glecaprevir/pibrentasvir has 7,019. 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 glecaprevir/pibrentasvir — 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.