Acyclovir prodrug?

Valacyclovir is the prodrug of acyclovir.

- What it is: The L-valyl ester of acyclovir.
- Why it’s used: Much higher oral bioavailability than acyclovir itself (about 50% vs 10–20%), allowing effective oral dosing.
- How it works: After absorption, valacyclovir is rapidly converted to acyclovir and L-valine by valacyclovir hydrolase in the liver/intestines.
- Other prodrugs: Famciclovir is a prodrug of penciclovir (not acyclovir). There are no widely used other clinically important prodrugs of acyclovir.

If you want, I can add more on dosing or practical implications.