Treatment
Approved drugs for hepatitis delta
Hepcludex (bulevirtide) is the first and only approved drug for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus infection among adults in the United States. Hepcludex was approved in May 2026 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
About Hepcludex
Hepcludex is approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus infection in adults without cirrhosis (advanced liver scarring) or with compensated cirrhosis (when the liver is damaged, but liver function is retained). The drug is given as a once daily subcutaneous injection that can be administered at home by the patient. A liver specialist (or a provider who is knowledgeable about hepatitis delta) should evaluate your health first, and then you can discuss whether you are a suitable candidate for treatment.
Hepcludex works by binding to hepatitis delta receptors on liver cells and blocking the entry of both hepatitis delta and hepatitis B viruses into the cells. The drug was granted approval based on reductions in hepatitis delta RNA and normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The long-term effects of this medication are promising for controlling the virus and improving quality of life for those living with hepatitis delta.
Hepcludex is also available in the European Union and the UK and was approved for prescription by the European Medicines Agency.
Other hepatitis delta drugs
Various other hepatitis delta drugs are in the clinical trial pipeline. For more information about Hepcludex and other promising new hepatitis delta drugs in the research pipeline, visit our drug watch page.
Antiviral treatments that are prescribed for hepatitis B have no effect on hepatitis delta, but are often recommended as part of a patient's treatment plan to control their hepatitis B, as it is a separate virus.