Acyclovir vs Plan B: side-by-side comparison
Acyclovir (Antiviraux) and Plan B (Hormones et contraception) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely interchangeable. This page compares the medications' purposes, mechanisms and the situations where each is used.
| Property | Acyclovir | Plan B |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Acyclovir | Levonorgestrel |
| Manufacturer | Various | Foundation Consumer Healthcare |
| Class | Antiviraux | Hormones et contraception |
| Strengths | 200mg, 400mg, 800mg | 1.5mg |
| Forms | tablet, capsule, oral suspension, topical cream | tablet |
What's the same
Acyclovir and Plan B are used in very different patients, and the points in common are limited. The main shared element is that both meet regulatory standards for efficacy and safety and benefit from pharmacist oversight.
Key differences
Acyclovir belongs to Antiviraux while Plan B belongs to Hormones et contraception. Indications, mechanisms and target populations differ. The comparison is most useful when a clinician has mentioned both medications and the patient wants to understand where each fits.
Mechanism and action
Acyclovir: L'aciclovir est un analogue de la guanosine phosphorylé sélectivement par la thymidine kinase virale en monophosphate, puis par les kinases cellulaires en aciclovir triphosphate. Plan B: Le mécanisme principal de Plan B est le retard ou le blocage de l'ovulation lorsqu'il est pris avant le pic de LH.
When Acyclovir is preferred
L'aciclovir est autorisé chez l'adulte et l'enfant dans le traitement des infections à herpès simplex, dont l'herpès génital (épisodes initiaux et récurrents), le traitement suppressif de l'herpès génital récidivant, l'herpès labial, l'herpès cutanéo-muqueux chez l'immunodéprimé…
When Plan B is preferred
Plan B est indiqué en contraception d'urgence après un rapport non protégé ou un échec de contraception avéré ou suspecté, chez la femme en âge de procréer.
Questions fréquentes
Is Acyclovir or Plan B better? ▾
Acyclovir and Plan B are not interchangeable — they treat different conditions. Asking which is "better" is meaningful only when a clinician has weighed both for the same specific clinical scenario.
Can I switch from Acyclovir to Plan B? ▾
Switching between Acyclovir and Plan B is rarely an appropriate decision since they belong to different classes and treat different conditions. The real question is usually whether the diagnosis calls for one medication or the other — which the prescriber resolves.
Do Acyclovir and Plan B have the same side effects? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each medication has its own prescribing information.
More Acyclovir comparisons
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.