28th May 2025

A 49-year-old intravenous drug user with established hepatitis B infection is brought into the A&E department by his relatives.

A 49-year-old intravenous drug user with established hepatitis B infection is brought into the A&E department by his relatives. They noticed that over the last couple of days he has become increasingly confused, his skin appears very yellow, and his abdomen is very swollen. Examination features are consistent with jaundice and ascites – while the patient does not comply with examination for asterixis. The patient has previously been on peginterferon alfa-2a for chronic hepatitis B with compensated liver disease but has had no other treatments.

What would be the most appropriate treatment option?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.