There are two very different treatments currently available for treating patients with hepatitis B.


1. Interferons


Interferons are natural immune substances that are part of the body's defence against viral infections. We think they change the immune balance so the body can control hepatitis B long after interferon therapy has been stopped. However, treatment is only successful in 25% to 30% of the time after 16 to 48 weeks of treatment. It may be possible to predict which patients are more likely to respond to interferon (see below). Standard interferon is given as a needle 3 times a week. The newer pegylated interferons are given once a week. To find out about the pros and cons of this treatment, click on interferons.

2. Oral agents (pills)


There are now several new pills that slow down hepatitis B growth. When taken regularly, the amount of hepatitis B virus (viral load) can be brought down to very low levels where liver disease no longer happens. Unfortunately, liver disease usually re-appears when these drugs are stopped. This means that in most cases, patients using these pills need to take them for the rest of their life. To find out about the pros and cons of this treatment, click on oral agents.