Pegylated IFN-alfa | Entecavir* | Tenofovir | |
Duration of treatment | 1 year | >1 year¶ | >1 year¶ |
Age group (FDA approval) | ≥3 years | ≥2 years | ≥2 years (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) ≥12 years (tenofovir alafenamide) |
Route | Subcutaneous | Oral | Oral |
Side effects | Many | Negligible | Potential nephrotoxicity, reduced bone mineral density (for tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) |
Drug resistanceΔ | None | Approximately 1% up to year 6 | None, up to year 8 |
IFN-alfa: interferon alfa; FDA: US Food and Drug Administration; HBeAg: hepatitis B e-antigen; anti-HBe: antibody to HBeAg.
* Entecavir is a first-line option for treatment-naïve patients but not for those with lamivudine resistance.
¶ For patients without cirrhosis who are treated with nucleos(t)ide analogs, treatment should continue for at least 12 months after seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe. Many clinicians recommend continuing treatment indefinitely, unless the patient clears HBsAg. For patients with cirrhosis, these drugs generally should be continued indefinitely, unless they clear HBsAg. For all nucleos(t)ide analogs, patients are at risk for exacerbations of hepatitis B after discontinuation of treatment. Patients who stop antiviral therapy should be monitored closely for evidence of disease reactivation.
Δ Data about drug resistance are based primarily on studies in adults.Do you want to add Medilib to your home screen?