Management of Bell's palsy

* House-Brackmann classification of facial nerve dysfunction (refer to UpToDate text for complete description):

1. Normal
2. Mild dysfunction
3. Moderate dysfunction
4. Moderately severe dysfunction
5. Severe dysfunction
6. Total paralysis

¶ Acyclovir (400 mg 5 times daily for 10 days) is an alternative to valacyclovir but is less convenient and has inferior bioavailability.