Valacyclovir versus acyclovir for HSV prophylaxisin neutropenic patients.

Background: It is common practice to administer acyclovir as prophylaxis to patients with hematologic malignancies during neutropenia; however, effective therapy requires frequent dosing, which is difficult in this setting. Valacyclovir has greater oral bioavailability and requires less frequent dosing.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of valacyclovir compared with acyclovir.