Generic Valacyclovir

A generic version of Valtrex tablets is now available. This medication, approved to treat shingles, cold sores, genital herpes, and chickenpox, is available as 500 and 1000 mg tablets. Generic valacyclovir has been given an "AB" rating, which means it is considered equivalent to brand-name Valtrex.

Valacyclovir Hydrochloride

An Introduction to Generic Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir hydrochloride (Valtrex^®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat chickenpox, shingles, cold sores, and genital herpes. It can also be used on a daily basis to prevent recurring outbreaks of genital herpes and to decrease the chance of spreading genital herpes to sexual partners.

Brand-name Valtrex is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. However, a generic version is now available as well.

Generic Valacyclovir Strengths and Pricing

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc., now makes a generic valacyclovir. It comes in tablet form in the following strengths:

Valacyclovir 500 mg
Valacyclovir 1000 mg (1 gram).

Starting in December 2009, Ranbaxy will be the only manufacturer allowed to make and sell generic valacyclovir in the United States for 180 days, due to laws that give generic manufacturers incentives to challenge the patents of brand-name medications. It is likely that the price of this medication will not be drastically lower than brand-name Valtrex, at least for the first 180 days. Once other manufacturers start making a generic valacyclovir, the price will probably gradually come down.

Is Generic Valacyclovir as Good as Valtrex?

All generic medications must undergo certain tests to compare them to brand-name medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then looks at these tests to decide if the generics are equivalent to the brand-name medications and assigns each generic a rating. An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. Generic valacyclovir has an "AB" rating, meaning it should be equivalent to Valtrex.

However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients than the brand-name medication. This might include fillers, dyes, or other ingredients that may cause problems for people with allergies or sensitivities.