title: Pharmacology, clinical efficacy and safety of lamivudine in hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: Lamivudine was the first nucleoside analog for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). It is well-tolerated and induces a decrease in serum HBV DNA levels associated with normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase levels. However, a sustained response with hepatitis B 'e' antigen to anti-hepatitis B e seroconversion is obtained in a smaller proportion of patients and hepatitis B surface antigen loss is exceptional. The response is maintained during therapy, and needs to be continued indefinitely in the majority of patients since withdrawal of treatment is generally followed by a rapid reappearance of the virus. However, mutations can be induced in long-term treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Academic Block, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi-110002, India. manojkumardm@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Manoj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Shiv K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sarin
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D019259:Lamivudine