Treatment of Hepatitis B—February 4, 2000

Treatment of Hepatitis B—February 4, 2000

Hepatitis B is quite prevalent in China, with a high incidence. Rough estimates suggest that there are approximately 120 million carriers of the virus in China.

1. Suppressing the virus

Interferon has some efficacy, but it is not ideal, with an e antigen seroconversion rate of around 40% and an HBsAg seroconversion rate of less than 10%. The treatment course lasts more than six months and costs 30,000–40,000 yuan. Lamivudine: 100mg, taken orally once daily, convenient to use, but the treatment course lasts one year and is expensive, with an HBsAg seroconversion rate of 20% and an e antigen seroconversion rate lower than interferon. In addition, vidarabine monophosphate has similar efficacy to interferon, but with greater side effects; the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines varies greatly depending on the combination, and the large volume of the drugs makes them inconvenient to take, potentially damaging the stomach with long-term use.

2. Reducing liver inflammation

Licorice acid, Qiang Li Ning, Gan Li Xin, and other treatments lasting more than six months can effectively reduce inflammatory responses in the liver.

3. Reducing liver fibrosis

Traditional Chinese medicines have a clear effect in reducing liver fibrosis, whereas Western medicines currently lack such drugs.

Traditional Chinese medicine treatment for hepatitis B also follows the above principles: in terms of suppressing the hepatitis B virus, there are Qin Jiao, Ban Lan, Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Yin Chen, and other herbs; in terms of reducing fibrosis, there are Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Huang Qi, Huang Jing, San Leng, E Zhu, and Yu Jin; and in terms of reducing liver inflammation, there are Bai Hua She She Cao, Ban Zhi Lian, Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Pu Gong Ying, and Bai Jiang Cao.