Update on entecavir in the management of severe forms of Hepatitis B

Abstract

Rodolfo SaccoDepartment of Gastroenterology, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, ItalyAbstract: Despite the effective management of most cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, there is still much room for improvement in the treatment of more severe cases of hepatitis B, such as those occurring in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, in transplanted subjects, and in patients with exacerbations of HBV infection. Among the treatments currently approved for the therapy of hepatitis B, entecavir determines a rapid suppression of viral load. This drug is also associated with a high genetic barrier and an overall favorable safety profile. This review provides an overview of recent evidence related to the use of entecavir in the management of the most severe forms of hepatitis B. The results obtained for this drug in real-life clinical practice are also reviewed.Keywords: entecavir, HBV, hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis