Clinical Medicine Reviews in Therapeutics

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide and is endemic in many areas of Asia and Africa. Adequate treatment of hepatitis B with effective antiviral agents can improve disease burden. Entecavir is a potent, selective nucleoside analogue with activity against HBV. In recent years, studies have been done on the safety, efficacy, resistance profile and therapeutic use of entecavir. This review will discuss pharmacological and clinical aspects of oral entecavir for use in adults with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.