Drug Delivery

Long-term use of hepatitis-B drug effective for advanced liver disease

Published in AIDS Vaccine Week, October 25th, 2004

A long-used AIDS drug appears to be the first effective, long-term treatment for hepatitis B in those with advanced liver disease caused by the virus.

The drug lamivudine, also known as 3TC, has been available for the treatment of hepatitis B since 1998, but the consequences of using it for years in those with serious liver disease or cirrhosis were unknown.

Researchers tested the drug for almost three years in 651 people, mostly Asians, and found it cut in half the risk of liver failure and the chances that the disease would develop into liver cancer.

About 8% of those who got lamivudine saw their liver disease get worse,...

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Source: AIDS Vaccine Week (2004-10-25)

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