<p><strong>Adults and Adolescents (16 years of age and older)</strong>: Due to higher rates of resistance that may develop with longer term treatment among patients with incomplete viral suppression, treatment should only be initiated, if pre-treatment HBV DNA and ALT measurements are known, in the following patient populations-<br />
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For HBeAg-positive patients, HBV DNA should be less than 9 log10&nbsp;copies per mL and ALT should be greater than or equal to 2x ULN prior to treatment with Telbivudine.<br />
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For HBeAg-negative patients, HBV DNA should be less than 7 log10&nbsp;copies per mL prior to treatment with Telbivudine.<br />
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HBV DNA levels should be monitored at 24 weeks of treatment to assure complete viral suppression (HBV DNA less than 300 copies per mL). Alternate therapy should be initiated for patients who have detectable HBV DNA after 24 weeks of treatment. Optimal therapy should be guided by further resistance testing.<br />
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<strong>The recommended dose of Telbivudine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B:</strong>&nbsp;600 mg once daily, taken orally, with or without food. Telbivudine Oral Solution (30 mL) may be considered for patients who have difficulty with swallowing tablets.</p>