acyclovir vs mebendazole
Side-by-side comparison of acyclovir and mebendazole Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Zovirax
Emverm
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by certain viruses.
Emverm is a medicine used to treat worm infections in your gut. It kills the worms so your body can get rid of them.
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.
Emverm treats infections in your stomach and intestines caused by roundworm and whipworm. These worms can cause problems like stomach pain and diarrhea. This medicine helps get rid of these worms so you can feel better.
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.
Emverm stops the worms from using sugar. Without sugar, the worms die. Then your body can get rid of the dead worms.
- • Malaise (feeling unwell)
- • Nausea
- • Diarrhea
- • Loss of appetite
- • Stomach pain
- • Diarrhea
- • Gas
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- 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
- Baby exposed to drug during pregnancy 56
- Feeling sick to your stomach 48
- Throwing up 43
- Medicine not working 42
- Stomach pain 41
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.
In rare cases, infants under 1 year old have had seizures while taking this medicine. If you take high doses of this medicine for a long time, it can lower your blood cell counts. If you take metronidazole with this medicine, you could get a severe skin reaction. Do not take Emverm if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
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.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Although studies haven't shown clear harm to the baby, it's important to discuss the risks and benefits. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This acyclovir vs mebendazole Comparison
acyclovir is classified in the Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog) drug class, while mebendazole sits within the Antiparasitic (Benzimidazole) 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 mebendazole has 230. 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 mebendazole — 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.