Posttreatment Acute Exacerbation of Hepatitis B

Discontinuation of anti-HBV therapy, including tenofovir, may be associated with severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B. Patients infected with HBV who discontinue tenofovir disoproxil fumarate should be closely monitored with both clinical and laboratory follow-up for at least several months after stopping treatment. If appropriate, resumption of anti-hepatitis B therapy may be warranted, especially in patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis, since posttreatment exacerbation of hepatitis may lead to hepatic decompensation and liver failure.