What therapies are available?

What Hepatitis B Treatments are Available?

Anti-virals

Anti-virals are oral pills that keep the hepatitis B virus from replicating or making copies of itself.1 This means that the amount of virus in the blood (viral load) is decreased.1

Some anti-virals will stop working after a while. This can be caused by what is called resistance, which means that your body has built up a resistance to the drug. You should ask your healthcare provider for further information.

Interferons

Interferons work by boosting the body's immune system to fight the hepatitis B virus. They must be given as an injection. Sometimes interferon hepatitis B treatment must be given three times a week.2

References

1 Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hepatitis-b/DS00398/DSECTION=10, accessed 8 April 2009
2 Web MD, Interferons for chronic hepatitis B, http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/interferons-for-chronic-hepatitis-b, accessed 8 April 2009