There are 2 types of treatment available for both acute and chronic Hepatitis B. These are discussed below:
1. Treatment for Acute Hepatitis B
If it is an acute Hepatitis B, then the patient won’t need any strict medication. Instead, proper nutrition, rest, lifestyle changes, etc., will be enough to recover. These will boost the immunity system of the patients and help them to fight the disease naturally. However, some antiviral drugs and hospitalization will be prescribed in the severe stage to avoid complexities.
2. Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B
As chronic Hepatitis B causes life-long complications, patients will need strong treatments. Hence, this treatment will depend on the condition of the liver damage, for example, the scarring of the liver, immunity level, etc. The popular treatment processes for chronic Hepatitis B are as follows:
- Antiviral Medicines: Doctors will prescribe antiviral medicines to slow down the damaging process and defeat the virus in your liver. The medicines they will likely offer you are as follows:
- Lamivudine: Lamivudine is one of the most effective medicines for Hepatitis that comes in both tablet and liquid form. However, if someone takes it for a long time the virus may become unresponsive to this drug.
- Adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera): This is an alternative drug for lamivudine and is available in tablet form. However, the tablet should be taken carefully as its overdose may cause kidney trouble.
- Entecavir (Baraclude): It is one of the front-line treatments and has a few side effects if taken daily.
- Pegylated Interferon (Pegasys): Physicians prescribe this once a week for 6 months and it comes in the form of shots. However, this drug has a side effect on your brain and makes you feel depressed. Further, it may also lower your white blood cell count and appetite.
- Interferon alfa: This medicine comes in the form of injection shots and is only for treating liver inflammation. It is generally an artificial substance that helps the body to fight back infection.
However, this medicine is for those who want to avoid long-term treatment and women who want to become pregnant after completing this medication. Further, the medicine has side effects like depression, nausea, breathing trouble, vomiting etc.
Apart from these, doctors may also prescribe Telbivudine, Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread) and Tenofovir alafenamide (VEMLIDY®).