VEMLIDY (tenofovir alafenamide), nucleotide analogue

High clinical benefit in chronic hepatitis B, though no demonstrated clinical advantage over VIREAD (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

• VEMLIDY has been granted marketing authorisation for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults and adolescents aged > 12 years.

• Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is a tenofovir prodrug developed to reduce plasma tenofovir levels in order to improve the nephrotoxicity and bone toxicity observed with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

• Overall, its efficacy and safety profile is comparable to that of TDF, though data for patients with a risk of poor response are limited.

• It is a first-line option whose use is justified when BARACLUDE (entecavir) or VIREAD (TDF) cannot be used (particularly in the event of resistance to entecavir, renal impairment or bone risk).

• When used, renal function, phosphate-calcium metabolism and lipid parameters should be monitored.