An updated review of the antiviral agents currently available or under trial for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B is presented. There are two broad groups: (1) immunomodulators including interferon a (which also has a direct antiviral effect), thymosin a1 and Theradigm-HBV and (2) viral suppressors such as famciclovir and lamivudine. These agents are still in clinical trial worldwide, singly or in combination. Their long term efficacy in the treatment of hepatitis B remains to be evaluated.