acyclovir vs ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
Side-by-side comparison of acyclovir and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Zovirax
Harvoni
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by certain viruses.
Harvoni is a medicine that contains ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. It is used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults and children 3 years and older.
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.
Harvoni treats chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6. It can be used if you don't have cirrhosis or if you have compensated cirrhosis. If you have genotype 1 with decompensated cirrhosis or are a liver transplant recipient with genotype 1 or 4, you will take Harvoni with another medicine called ribavirin.
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.
Harvoni contains two medicines that stop the hepatitis C virus from multiplying in your body. Ledipasvir blocks a protein called NS5A. Sofosbuvir blocks another protein called NS5B.
- • Malaise (feeling unwell)
- • Nausea
- • Diarrhea
- • Feeling tired
- • Headache
- • Feeling weak
- • 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 4,130
- Headache 3,706
- Nausea 1,240
- The medicine is not working 1,137
- Diarrhea 913
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.
Harvoni 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 Harvoni and 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.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking Harvoni. If Harvoni is taken with ribavirin, it is unsafe during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
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How to Read This acyclovir vs ledipasvir/sofosbuvir Comparison
acyclovir is classified in the Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog) drug class, while ledipasvir/sofosbuvir sits within the NS5A/NS5B 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 ledipasvir/sofosbuvir has 11,126. 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 ledipasvir/sofosbuvir — 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.