The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7389 p224
25 February 2006

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Chronic hepatitis B treatments given thumbs up by NICE

Newer treatments for chronic hepatitis B in adults have been recommended for use in the NHS in England and Wales by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys; Roche) has been recommended for initial treatment.

Adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera; Gilead) has been recommended for use if a relapse occurs, or if treatment with interferon alfa or peginterferon alfa-2a has been unsuccessful, or is poorly tolerated or contraindicated.

The guidance also states that adefovir should not normally be given before treatment with lamivudine. It can be given alone or in combination with lamivudine if previous treatment has resulted in viral resistance or if lamivudine resistance is likely to occur rapidly and have an adverse outcome.