What is the difference between Valacyclovir and Acyclovir?

Acyclovir and Valacyclovir belong to a class of medications called antiviral drugs and are both used to treat cold sores and herpes.

Both work to speed up recovery during an oral or genital herpes outbreak and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to other people.

The main difference between the two treatment options is the higher bioavailability of Valacyclovir. This just means more of the drug makes it into your body to then take effect.

The other key difference between Valacyclovir and Acyclovir is that Valacyclovir requires you to take fewer doses per day.