How is hepatitis B treated?

Treatment for hepatitis B may involve:

Hepatitis B is treated through shots of medicine.
  • A drug called interferon (in-ter-FEAR-on). It is given through shots. Most people are treated for 4 months.
  • A drug called lamivudine (la-MIV-you-deen). You take it by mouth once a day. Treatment is usually for one year. Sometimes lamivudine is combined with interferon.
  • Surgery. Over time, hepatitis B may cause your liver to stop working. If that happens, you will need a new liver. The surgery is called a liver transplant. It involves taking out the old, damaged liver and putting in a new, healthy one from a donor.