Acyclovir online: safe buying, uses, and what to watch for

Need acyclovir and thinking about ordering online? Acyclovir treats herpes simplex and shingles and comes in pills, cream, and IV forms. Buying online can save money and time, but you’ll want to avoid sketchy sites and counterfeit pills. This guide shows the practical checks and steps that actually matter.

How to buy acyclovir online safely

Start with a prescription. In the US, UK, and most countries a prescription is required for oral or IV acyclovir. If a site sells tablets without asking for a valid prescription, that’s a red flag. Use licensed pharmacies—look for verification from the national regulator (in the US check NABP/VIPPS listings; in the UK check GPhC). A legit pharmacy lists a real business address and has a pharmacist you can contact.

Check the site security (https), read real customer reviews, and compare prices between a few trusted pharmacies. Generic acyclovir is common and usually much cheaper than brand-name. Use pharmacy discount cards or services like GoodRx in the US to lower costs. Don’t pick the cheapest option if the site won’t verify prescriptions or hides shipping details.

What acyclovir is used for and common forms

Acyclovir fights herpes simplex (cold sores, genital herpes) and varicella‑zoster (shingles). For mild cases you’ll see topical 5% cream for cold sores. Oral tablets are the usual choice for genital outbreaks and shingles. Severe infections may need IV acyclovir in hospital care—don’t try to manage that on your own.

Typical adult oral doses vary: for a first genital herpes outbreak you may see 200 mg five times daily or 400 mg three times daily for 7–10 days; suppressive therapy is often 400 mg twice daily; shingles is commonly 800 mg five times daily for 7–10 days. Doses differ for children and people with kidney problems—always get dosing from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Watch for side effects like nausea, headache, or mild kidney effects; serious problems are uncommon but possible, especially with dehydration or preexisting kidney issues. If you have kidney disease, tell your doctor so they can adjust the dose.

Red flags when buying: no prescription required, unrealistic low prices, no pharmacist contact, poor site design, unknown country of origin, and mixed or fake-looking reviews. If pills arrive in unmarked packaging or with odd tablets, stop using them and contact a health professional.

Final practical tips: get a prescription from your provider (telehealth works fine), use a licensed online pharmacy, compare a couple of price quotes, and ask the pharmacist about dosing and interactions. That keeps things legal, safer, and more reliable than chasing the absolute cheapest dealer online.