Emtricitabine in Chronic Hepatitis B: A Mini Review

Emtricitabine is a cytosine nucleoside analog with antiviral activity against both hepatitis b virus (hbv) and humanimmunodeficiency virus (hiv). it is structurally similar to lamivudine; it differs only by a fluorine at the s-position ofthe nucleic acid. this review focuses on the efficacy and tolerability of ftc in the treatment of chronic hepatitis b, bothhbeag and anti-hbe-positive. relevant literature was identified through searches of medline (2001-january 2008).the review of literature suggests that the role of emtricitabine as monotherapy may be limited by its structuralsimilarity to lamivudine and the corresponding risk of development of drug resistance; however, some studies seem toevidence an efficacy for emtricitabine in association with other antiviral drugs, as adefovir dipivoxil and c1evudine.other studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this new drug in particular in association with other antiviral drugs.