Liquid oral suspension adefovir dipivoxil (GS-02-526): an update on treatments for hepatitis B infection

Abstract

Though the global epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection has declined due to effective immunization, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a serious public health problem and there is still a need for more treatment options that are efficient, safe and simple for different kinds of CHB patients. Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) liquid suspension (GS-02-526), as a new form of oral ADV, not only has competent antiviral efficacy, but is also more convenient for patients with swallowing difficulties or patients with impaired renal function requiring dosage adjustment. The clinical data evaluating the safety, tolerability and antiviral activity of liquid suspension of ADV as well as its tablet are summarized in this article. The availability of liquid oral suspension of ADV would allow more patients to receive timely and reasonable antiviral treatments.

Keywords::

• adefovir dipivoxil
• antiviral therapy
• chronic hepatitis B
• hepatitis B virus
• oral suspension

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) liquid oral suspension (2 mg/ml) has competent antiviral efficacy against HBV to that of ADV tablet.

• The dosage of ADV liquid oral suspension is 0.3 mg/kg/day for 2- to 6-year-old patients and 0.25 mg/kg/day for 7- to 11-year-old patients.

• Clinical trials have demonstrated that the treatment with liquid oral suspension is generally well tolerated in patients with renal impairment.

• ADV liquid oral suspension would be a good option for adult and pediatric chronic hepatitis B patients with difficulties in swallowing pills.