Can I stop taking tenofovir alafenamide tablets (Vemlidy) once I start taking it?

Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate tablets (Vemlidy, trade name: Vemlidy) is a new type of nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor, mainly used to treat patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The drug can effectively inhibit the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV), reduce the amount of virus in the blood, and improve liver function and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer in long-term use. However, hepatitis B virus is latent. Once you start using tenofovir alafenamide, you need to carefully consider whether you can stop taking it at will.

In clinical practice, once antiviral treatment is started for most patients with chronic hepatitis B, it is not recommended to stop taking it on their own. Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate tablets can continuously inhibit viral replication. After discontinuation of the drug, it may lead to virus rebound, rapid increase in HBV DNA in the blood, aggravation of abnormal liver function, and even the risk of acute hepatitis or liver failure. Especially for patients who have already developed liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, discontinuation may significantly increase the probability of disease progression and serious complications.

In some special circumstances, doctors may evaluate whether discontinuation of medication can be considered based on the patient's virological indicators and immune status. For example, patients whose HBV DNA levels in their blood have long been below the lower limit of detection for many consecutive years, whose liver function is stable, and whose surface antigen (HBsAg) has significantly decreased or disappeared, may try to stop taking the drug after strict monitoring and under the guidance of a professional doctor. But even so, a complete follow-up mechanism needs to be established to regularly monitor serum HBV DNA, liver function and liver imaging indicators in order to promptly detect viral rebound and quickly resume treatment.

Therefore, for most patients, once they start taking tenofovir alafenamide, they should not stop taking it. The continuous use of drugs is an important measure to ensure antiviral efficacy and control disease progression. During the medication period, patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions, regularly review blood indicators, and fully communicate with the liver disease specialist before any planned discontinuation of medication, and formulate a scientific discontinuation or adjustment plan based on the individual's condition, so as to achieve the best effect of antiviral treatment while ensuring safety.

Reference link:https://www.drugs.com