AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON CLINICAL SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS USED IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS-B VIRUS INFECTION

Abstract

Hepatitis B is serious liver illness that is brought on by hepatitis B virus. It is classified into two types- acute and chronic hepatitis. Antivirals are the best choice of treatment for Hepatitis-B. Tenofovir (25mg and 300mg) and Entecavir (0.5mg) are currently used medications to control viral replication and suppress viral DNA levels. The study was a single centered, observational study that included 60 chronic hepatitis-B patients. They were split into two groups of patients prescribed with Tenofovir and Entecavir. Our study was conducted on 60 patients out of which 81.66% were found to be males and 18.33% were found to be females. Among them, most of the patients belonged to the age group 41-60 years (51.66%). In 51 patients taking Tenofovir monotherapy, 41 patients (80.40%) were having ≤2000 IU/mL. In 6 patients taking Entecavir monotherapy, 3 patients (50%) were having ≤2000 IU/mL. In 3 patients taking Dual therapy, 2 patients (66.67%) were having ≤2000 IU/mL. Among 60 patients, ADRs were reported in 41 patients (68.33%). Commonly reported ADRs were weakness, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain. These are mild and occasional. 73.40% patients reported ADRs while using Tenofovir and 83.33% patients reported ADRs while using Entecavir. From our study, it was observed that Tenofovir is having good safety and efficacy (80.40%) whereas Entecavir is having 50% efficacy. Tenofovir safety and efficacy is much more when compared to safety and efficacy of Entecavir.