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Compare Hepsera vs. Intron A

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Adefovir (Hepsera) and interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) are both used to treat chronic hepatitis B, but they belong to different medication classes. Adefovir is an oral antiviral medication known as a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Interferon alfa-2b was an injectable biologic, but it is no longer available in the U.S. Adefovir can cause side effects like weakness, headache, and stomach pain, and it has a risk of causing lactic acidosis and kidney problems.

  • Adefovir (Hepsera)
    Intron a (interferon alfa-2b)
  • Adefovir (Hepsera)
    Intron a (interferon alfa-2b)

  • Summary of Hepsera vs. Intron A

    Summary for Antiviral
    Prescription only

    Adefovir (Hepsera) is an antiviral medication that's used for the treatment of hepatitis B in people age 12 and older. It's not a first-choice treatment option because the virus can become resistant to adefovir (Hepsera), meaning the medication might stop working well over time. Adefovir (Hepsera) is available as a brand-name and generic tablet that's typically taken once daily. Some side effects of the medication can include weakness, headache, and stomach pain.

    Summary for Biologic

    Intron A (interferon alfa-2b) is an injectable medication that's used to treat various types of cancer and viral infections. Depending on the condition, this medication can be injected into the muscle, under the skin, into a vein, or into an area of skin growth. Intron A (interferon alfa-2b) has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available in the United States. Your healthcare provider will help guide you to other treatment options.

  • Indications of Hepsera vs. Intron A

    Indications for
    •Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
    Indications for

    Certain cancers:

    •Hairy cell leukemia
    •Melanoma
    •Follicular lymphoma
    •Kaposi's sarcoma in people with AIDs (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)

    Certain viral infections:

    •Genital warts
    •Chronic (long-term) hepatitis B and C

  • Pros and Cons of Hepsera vs. Intron A

    Pros and Const for Antiviral
    Pros
    •Only need to take once a day
    •Can take with or without food
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Not a first-choice medication to treat hepatitis B
    •High risk of viral resistance to the medication
    •Might cause buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis)
    Pros and Const for Biologic
    Pros
    Cons

  • Common Side Effects of Hepsera vs. Intron A

    Common Side Effects for
    •Weakness or lack of energy (13%)
    •Headache (9%)
    •Stomach pain (9%)
    •Nausea (5%)
    Common Side Effects for

  • Warnings of Hepsera vs. Intron A

    Common Side Effects for
    •Worsening of hepatitis B after stopping treatment
    •Hepatitis B and HIV co-infection
    •Kidney problems
    •Lactic acidosis and liver problems
    Common Side Effects for

  • Prices with our coupons for Hepsera vs. Intron A

    Learn more about Adefovir
    Learn more about Intron a

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