Treatments for Hepatitis B

Contents

Hepatitis B: Introduction
Treatments for Hepatitis B (Introduction)
Treatment list for Hepatitis B
Alternative Treatments
Latest treatments for Hepatitis B
Discussion of treatments for Hepatitis B
Buy Products Related to Treatments for Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B: Introduction

Treatments for Hepatitis B:

The most effective treatment plan for hepatitis B uses a multifaceted approach. Treatment plans are individualized to best fit the patient's age, medical history, and type and stage of the disease. The goal of treatment is to stop or lessen damage to the liver and minimize and quickly treat any complications, such as such as cirrhosis of the liver.

Most adults recover from hepatitis B, gradually improving over a period of weeks to months. In some people, especially infants and children, and certain adults, hepatitis B can progress into chronic hepatitis and result in serious complications, such as cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and liver failure.

The first step in treatment of this serious disease is prevention. Prevention measures include avoiding behaviors and situations that put a person at a high risk of catching hepatitis B, such as having unprotected sex and/or multiple sex partners, or having tattoos or body piercings done with unsterilized needles or sharing needles for drug use.

Another important prevention measure for hepatitis B is getting the hepatitis B vaccination. Any person with household contact or who has had intimate or sexual contact with a person with hepatitis B should seek medical care to be evaluated for hepatitis B, even if there are no symptoms.

There is no specific cure for hepatitis B, but general treatment includes rest and ensuring good nutrition. Hepatitis B is not treated with antibiotics because it is caused by a virus and antibiotics are not effective in treating a viral infection. However, in some cases antiviral medication may be prescribed.

People with hepatitis B should not drink alcohol or take any supplements, over-the-counter medications, or prescription drugs without consulting their health care provider because they can cause liver damage.

Most people with Hepatitis B will recover within weeks to months. For serious cases of Hepatitis B, which has lead to the rare complication of liver failure, hospitalization is needed. Treatment in the hospital may include medications and other diagnostic testing and treatment. Treatment may also include liver transplant for some people. This major surgical procedure involves using a healthy donor liver to replace a severely diseased liver.

Treatment List for Hepatitis B

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Hepatitis B includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

Interferon
Lamivudine
Liver transplant
Treatment of Hepatitis B depends upon whether the infection is acute or chronic, and the severity of the illness. Treatments include:
- Avoidance of alcohol and medications that may worsen hepatic function, or rely on the liver for metabolism
- Supportive care - fluids, rest, for acute infection
- Antiviral therapy - for severe acute illness and chronic hepatitis B
- Interferon - for chronic infection
- Immunisation - for prevention of hepatitis B
- Liver transplantation - for acute fulminant liver failure and end stage disease not responding to other therapy

Alternative Treatments for Hepatitis B

Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Hepatitis B may include:

Phyllanthus
Salba seeds and salba seed oil
more treatments »

Hepatitis B: Is the Diagnosis Correct?

The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Hepatitis B may include:

Hepatitis B: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available for Hepatitis B:

Hepatitis B: Research Doctors & Specialists

Digestive Health Specialists (Gastroenterology):
- Gastroenterology (Digestive Specialists)
- Pediatric Gastroenterology (Child Digestive Health)
Liver Health Specialists (Hepatology):
- Transplant Hepatology (Liver Transplant Specialist)
more specialists...»

Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Drugs and Medications used to treat Hepatitis B:

Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans.

Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Hepatitis B include:

Lamivudine
Combivir
Epivir
Epivir HBV
Trizivir
Adefovir
Hepsera

Unlabeled Drugs and Medications to treat Hepatitis B:

Unlabelled alternative drug treatments for Hepatitis B include:

Famciclovir
Famvir
Emtricitabine
Emtriva

Latest treatments for Hepatitis B:

The following are some of the latest treatments for Hepatitis B:

IV fluids
Metoclopramide
Ursodeoxycholic
Cholestyramine
HAV IG
HBV IG
Naloxone
Thiamine

Hospital statistics for Hepatitis B:

These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Hepatitis B:

0.0047% (597) of hospital consultant episodes were for acute hepatitis B in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
74% of hospital consultant episodes for acute hepatitis B required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
62% of hospital consultant episodes for acute hepatitis B were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
38% of hospital consultant episodes for acute hepatitis B were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
64% of hospital consultant episodes for acute hepatitis B required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
more hospital information...»

Hospitals & Medical Clinics: Hepatitis B

Research quality ratings and patient incidents/safety measures for hospitals and medical facilities in specialties related to Hepatitis B:

Hospital & Clinic quality ratings »

Choosing the Best Treatment Hospital: More general information, not necessarily in relation to Hepatitis B, on hospital and medical facility performance and surgical care quality:

Discussion of treatments for Hepatitis B:

Viral Hepatitis A to E and Beyond: NIDDK (Excerpt)

Drug treatment with alpha interferon or lamivudine. (Source: excerpt from Viral Hepatitis A to E and Beyond: NIDDK)

Vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B: NIDDK (Excerpt)

Prophylactic treatment for exposure to hepatitis B virus involves either hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), hepatitis B vaccine, or a combination of both. The HBIG dose equals 0.06 mL/kg. Efficacy ranges from 70 to 95 percent for different types of exposure.