What Are The Side Effects Of Long-term Entecavir, And Is It Safe For Me To Stop Taking It?

Posted on Sun, 10 May 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 10 May 2020 Answered on

5 days ago Last reviewed on

Question : Respected sir hello
I am hepatitis B positive 47 years old and I am taking the medicine "entecavir" since last 2years regularly । Is there any side effects of this medicine । Can I stop this medicine ।

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Details as given below

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service. Thank you for your query. I understand your concern.

Hepatitis B is a chronic type of infection stays for years in many infected individuals. Entecavir just suppresses the virus in body to an undetectable levels. If you stop the medicine the virus will bounce back. So it is not advisable to stop the medication on your own.

It is a reasonably safe medication even after long term use and usually needs no monitoring for side effects. Abdominal discomfort, rash, muscle cramps, nausea, tiredness have been reported but rare.

You need to monitor USG of liver alfa fetoprotein and viral load as per advice of your doctor for disease itself.

I hope this answers your query. Happy to help.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (27 hours later)

Hello sir
yet i hv received you mail .now i am sending my detail and reports.
1.AFP dated 01/02/2020 = 4.59 ng/ml
2.USG dated sept 2019 = normal
3.LFT dated sept 2019 = normal
4.RFT dated sept 2019 = normal
5.CBC dated sept 2019 = normal
6.Blood sugar =negative
7.Blood pressure = normal
8.Tobacco & Alcohal habbits =No
9.HBeAg =Negative
Sir i am sending my above mentioned details and enclosing my report
1.Hepatitis B viral (HBV-DNA viral load 3156 iu/ml) quantitative real time pcr dated 21/04/18
2.Fibroscan dated 14/04/18- CAP= 214 & Epka 4.3
3.Hepatitis B profile Serum @CMIA dated 13.08.18 having followin details ( NOTE- After taking Medicine Entecavir).
a.HepatitisB Surface Antigen HBsAg =772.63 IU/ml
b. HepatitisB core Antibody (Anti- HBc) Igm=0.12 Index<1.00
c. HepatitisB core Antibody (Anti- HBc) total=7.96 Index<1.00
d. Hepatitis Be Antigen (HBeAg) =0.30 Index<1.00
e. Hepatitis Be Antibody (Anti HBe) =0.01 Index>1.00
Sir kindly comment on third report of .Hepatitis B profile Serum @CMIA dated 13.08.18clearly pointwise.
Inspite of all these
1. can you advise to stop taking medicine Entecavir which I am taking since last 02 year (may 2018).
2.Can you advice me to take ayurvedic antiviral medicine "Bhumi Amaliki"
( PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI)
3. Can you advice me to take both medicine simultaneously if yes please tell me the doses & time period up to which they can be taken
With regards

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Details are given below

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Thank you for your follow up query. I have noted your reports.

Your hepatitis b antibody profile report suggest an not a recently acquired infection (IGM HBC AB NEGATIVE) and an HBeAg negative result means that the virus is in a low replication state all other points also indicate almost the same things:
1. Suggests to continue Entecavir
2. Avoid alternative medications (though me not an expert on that being an allopathic doctor)
3. Continue Entecavir in the dose which you are taking

Take care. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (20 minutes later)

How the replication of virus can be stopped is there any medicine if so kindly give its name & dose
With regards

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Same medication

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Thank you for your follow up query.

The medication Entecavir you are taking is known to reduce the viral load effectively. The usual dose in most of patients is 0.5mg daily.

I hope I have clarified your doubt. Take care. Thank you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D