Skip to content

Antivirals iconAntivirals

Herpes, influenza, HIV and hepatitis C medicines all share this range under one antiviral umbrella, each targeting a different virus, from Valtrex and Zovirax to Tamiflu.

Valtrex

Valaciclovir

500mg · 1000mg

Valaciclovir tablets for shingles and herpes simplex infections. It stops the virus from multiplying by blocking its DNA.

From$3.12/ tabletView

Zovirax

Aciclovir

200mg · 400mg · 800mg

Aciclovir tablets for shingles and genital herpes. It stops the virus from reproducing, which helps the sores heal.

From$0.51/ tabletView

Tamiflu

Oseltamivir

75mg

Oseltamivir capsules for influenza A and B. It stops the flu virus from spreading to new cells.

From$8.67/ capsuleView

Famvir

Famciclovir

250mg · 500mg

Famciclovir tablets for shingles and cold sores. It becomes active inside infected cells to stop the virus multiplying.

From$4.42/ tabletView

Movfor

Molnupiravir

200mg

Molnupiravir capsules for covid-19. It forces the virus to make copying errors so it cannot multiply.

From$4.39/ capsuleView

Velpanat

Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir

400mg + 100mg

Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir tablets for chronic hepatitis C. The two antivirals together stop the virus from multiplying.

From$42.39/ tabletView

Key points

  • Antivirals are grouped by the virus they target, not treated as one interchangeable set of medicines.
  • Influenza antivirals are a distinct group from antibiotics and from antivirals used for other infections.
  • HIV treatment usually combines medicines from more than one antiretroviral class.
  • Seven listed medicines here span five virus groups: herpes zoster and related herpesviruses, influenza, HIV, COVID-19 and hepatitis C.

Herpes and influenza antivirals in this range

Valaciclovir is the ingredient in Valtrex, listed for herpes zoster, herpes simplex virus infections and varicella. Zovirax (aciclovir) and Famvir (famciclovir) are listed for the same three conditions. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) targets a different virus entirely, listed for influenza A and influenza B.

HIV, hepatitis C and COVID-19 antivirals in this range

Tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine combine in Tenvir-em, listed for HIV-1 infection and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Velpanat combines sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, listed for chronic hepatitis C. Movfor, containing molnupiravir, is listed for COVID-19.

Further reading