High dose corticosteroid medicines (such as prednisone) are the standard of care and can make it more likely that you will regain all facial movement. They work best if they are taken soon after symptoms start (within 3 days). Sometimes antiviral medicines (such as acyclovir) may be added to corticosteroid medicines to treat Bell's palsy-related pain. However, evidence for using antiviral medicines to treat the paralysis is weak. They may help to reduce pain, but in general, they do not affect recovery of facial movement.