Hepatitis B Treatment: A Complete Guide

• Slow or stop the virus’s activity
• Reduce liver inflammation
• Stop the disease from progressing to cirrhosis or liver cancer

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Always talk to your doctor about the treatment strategy that suits you best.

Immune Modulators (Interferons)

These drugs help strengthen your immune system to fight the virus. Interferon is mainly prescribed for younger people who don’t want to be on long-term treatment and whose liver still functions well with liver disease.

• Pegylated interferon (Pegasys) is the preferred immune drug for HBV. You’ll need weekly injections.
• Interferon alpha (Intron A) injections are needed several times per week. This treatment is used less often.

For either medication, treatment is usually 48 weeks long. Side effects for both can be severe and include depression, flu-like symptoms, and headaches.

Some people should not take interferons, including people who are pregnant, have a certain type of high blood pressure, or have more severe liver disease. Your doctor will help ensure that this medication is safe for you before prescribing it.

Antiviral Drugs for Hepatitis B

Viruses spread through the body by replicating, or producing new copies of themselves. Antiviral drugs help prevent or slow the rate of replication.

• adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera)
• entecavir (Baraclude)
• lamivudine (Epivir HBV)
• tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread)
• tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy)
• telbivudine (Tyzeka, Sebivo)

In general, there are few side effects with these medications. If your doctor recommends an antiviral drug, the specific medication prescribed will depend on several factors, such as whether you’ve tried other treatments before, whether you’re pregnant, and how well your kidneys function.

Drugs in Clinical Trials

You can search for clinical trials at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Lifestyle changes can help you better manage hepatitis B and keep your liver as healthy as possible.

• Alcohol
• Certain medications that are processed in the liver
• Herbal medications
• Herbal supplements

• Follow a nutritious diet.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A.
• Get screened for hepatitis C.
• Stay physically active.
• Maintain a body weight that’s healthy for you.

Hepatitis B is a potentially severe disease that stems from infection with the hepatitis B virus. An acute infection often goes away with time, but many people who experience chronic hepatitis B will need long-term treatment with antiviral medications or immune modulators. Healthy lifestyle choices like avoiding alcohol can help keep your liver healthy if you have hepatitis B.