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AntiviralsAntivirals

This category covers antiviral medicines that target specific viruses, mainly the hepatitis viruses and the herpes family. They work best when matched to the right infection. Both families of virus here need sustained treatment or well-timed courses, and the plan is set by which virus is involved and how established it is.

Valtrex

Valaciclovir

500 · 1000mg

Valaciclovir 500mg and 1000mg film-coated tablets, used for herpes zoster, herpes simplex and genital herpes. A prodrug converted to aciclovir.

From$2.55/ tabletView

Molnunat

Molnupiravir

200mg

Molnunat is molnupiravir 200mg hard capsules for COVID-19, a nucleoside analogue prodrug that corrupts the viral genome as it copies.

From$158.10/ bottleView

Zovirax

Aciclovir

200 · 400 · 800mg

Aciclovir 200mg, 400mg and 800mg tablets, used for herpes simplex and varicella zoster infection. A nucleoside analogue activated by viral enzymes.

From$0.46/ tabletView

Tamiflu

Oseltamivir

75mg

Oseltamivir 75mg hard capsules, used in the management of influenza. A neuraminidase inhibitor that keeps new viral particles from being released.

From$2.92/ tabletView

Harvoni

Ledipasvir, Sofosbuvir

90/400mg

Ledipasvir with sofosbuvir as a film-coated tablet, used in the management of chronic hepatitis C. An NS5A inhibitor paired with an NS5B polymerase inhibitor.

From$8.58/ tabletView

Sovaldi

Sofosbuvir

400mg

Sofosbuvir 400mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of chronic hepatitis C. An NS5B polymerase inhibitor that halts viral replication.

From$29.21/ tabletView

Rebetol

Ribavirin

200mg

Ribavirin at the 200mg hard capsule strength, used in the management of chronic hepatitis C alongside another antiviral. A nucleoside analogue.

From$5.26/ tabletView

Famvir

Famciclovir

250 · 500mg

Famciclovir 250mg and 500mg film-coated tablets, used for herpes zoster, herpes simplex and genital herpes. A prodrug of penciclovir.

From$2.34/ tabletView

Epivir

Lamivudine

150mg

Lamivudine 150mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of HIV infection and chronic hepatitis B. A nucleoside analogue acting on reverse transcriptase.

From$1.53/ tabletView

Copegus

Ribavirin

100mg

Ribavirin 100mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of chronic hepatitis C. A nucleoside analogue that interferes with viral RNA replication.

From$4.86/ tabletView

Epivir HBV

Lamivudine

100mg

Lamivudine 100mg film-coated tablets, the hepatitis B strength, used in the management of chronic hepatitis B. It inhibits the viral reverse transcriptase.

From$1.73/ tabletView

Daklinza

Daclatasvir

60mg

Daclatasvir 60mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of chronic hepatitis C. An NS5A inhibitor blocking both RNA replication and virion assembly.

From$14.00/ tabletView

Velpanat

Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir

400/100mg

Velpanat is sofosbuvir with velpatasvir 400/100mg for chronic hepatitis C, pairing a polymerase inhibitor with a replication complex inhibitor.

From$44.20/ tabletView

Baraclude

Entecavir

0.5mg

Entecavir 0.5mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of chronic hepatitis B. A nucleoside analogue that inhibits the viral polymerase.

From$2.73/ tabletView

Natdac

Daclatasvir

60mg

Natdac is daclatasvir 60mg tablets for chronic hepatitis C, an NS5A inhibitor taken alongside a second direct-acting antiviral.

From$6.26/ tabletView

Key points

  • These medicines target specific viruses and are not interchangeable across the hepatitis and herpes families.
  • Hepatitis C treatment can clear the infection, while herpes treatment shortens or suppresses episodes rather than curing them.
  • Timing changes the benefit, and several work best when started early in an episode.

Classes and ingredients in this category

Conditions it covers

These medicines are used for chronic hepatitis c, chronic hepatitis b, herpes simplex and herpes zoster. Genotype, liver health and other medicines shape the regimen, which is why these are specialist rather than self-selected treatments.

Further reading