Key takeaways
Tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy) and interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) are both used to treat hepatitis B, but they belong to different medication classes and have important differences. Tenofovir alafenamide is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) taken orally. Interferon alfa-2b is an injectable biologic, but it has been discontinued in the U.S.. Vemlidy is FDA-approved specifically for hepatitis B in people aged 6 and older, whereas Intron A was used for a broader range of conditions, including certain cancers and viral infections like hepatitis B and C, before it was discontinued. Vemlidy is typically taken once daily with food, while Intron A required injections, which could be more complex. Vemlidy is only available as a brand-name medication, whereas Intron A is no longer available in the U.S. Common side effects of Vemlidy include headache and stomach pain, while Intron A could cause flu-like symptoms and fatigue. Vemlidy has specific drug interactions, such as with NSAIDs, which can increase the risk of kidney damage, whereas Intron A's interactions were less specified due to its discontinuation.
