Antiviral treatment for hepatitis B cirrhosis 1, compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis The indications for treatment are HBVDNA ≥ 104 copies/ml for HBeAg positive and HBVDNA ≥ 103 copies/ml for HBeAg negative, with normal or elevated ALT. The goal of treatment is to delay and reduce the occurrence of liver failure and HCC. Because of the need for longer-term treatment, nucleoside (acid) analogs with a low incidence of drug resistance are preferable for treatment. Options are: lamivudine 100 mg orally once daily; adefovir 10 mg orally once daily; entecavir 0.5 mg (1 mg for lamivudine-resistant patients) orally once daily; and telbivudine 600 mg orally once daily. Interferon should be given with great caution because of its potential to cause complications such as loss of liver function. If deemed necessary, it is advisable to start with a small dose and gradually increase to the intended therapeutic dose according to the patient’s tolerance. 2. Decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis For patients with decompensated cirrhosis, as long as HBVDNA can be detected, regardless of whether ALT or AST is elevated, it is recommended to start nucleoside (acid) analogue antiviral therapy promptly based on their informed consent to improve liver function and delay or reduce the need for liver transplantation. Because of the need for long-term treatment, it is best to use nucleoside (acid) analogs with a low incidence of drug resistance, and not to discontinue them at will. In the event of resistance mutations, other approved nucleoside (acid) analogs that can treat resistance mutations should be added promptly. Interferon therapy can lead to liver failure and is therefore contraindicated in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.