acyclovir vs ivermectin
Side-by-side comparison of acyclovir and ivermectin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Zovirax
Stromectol
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by certain viruses.
Ivermectin is a medicine used to treat infections caused by certain parasitic worms. It works by paralyzing and killing these worms.
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.
Ivermectin treats strongyloidiasis, an infection in your intestines caused by a roundworm parasite. It also treats onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, which is caused by a different roundworm parasite. Ivermectin only kills the juvenile worms, not the adults.
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.
Ivermectin belongs to a class of drugs called anthelmintics. It works by binding to certain nerve and muscle cells of the parasite. This binding paralyzes the parasite, which leads to its death and removal from the body.
- • Malaise (feeling unwell)
- • Nausea
- • Diarrhea
- • Itching
- • Skin rash
- • Fever
- • Swelling of lymph nodes
- • Joint pain
- 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
- The medicine did not work 729
- Headache 634
- Weakness 588
- Fever 484
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 463
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.
Ivermectin can cause Mazzotti reactions in people being treated for onchocerciasis. These reactions include skin rash, itching, swelling, fever, and lymph node tenderness.
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 ivermectin can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if ivermectin passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This acyclovir vs ivermectin Comparison
acyclovir is classified in the Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog) drug class, while ivermectin sits within the Antiparasitic 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 ivermectin has 2,898. 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 ivermectin — 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.