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How Long Should Lamivudine Be Taken For Hepatitis B?
Hi
My name is Ruth, from Kenya. Last December 2013, my husband was diagnosed with hepatitis B when he had taken a pre-employment medical test. He was prescribed lamivudine tenofovir disoproxil fumarate which he had to take for one month. His medication is ending today. We have consulted doctors on whether or not he should continue with the drug but they give different opinion saying it should be stop after this month. I have read various recent research studies about the treatment that have lasted up to a year. So we are afraid that stopping the treatment may flare up the Hepatitis B virus. What should we do? Secondly, I tested for the same condition but I came out negative. My question is should I get vaccinated or I have developed antibodies so I do not vaccination. Thanks, waiting for your reply.
My name is Ruth, from Kenya. Last December 2013, my husband was diagnosed with hepatitis B when he had taken a pre-employment medical test. He was prescribed lamivudine tenofovir disoproxil fumarate which he had to take for one month. His medication is ending today. We have consulted doctors on whether or not he should continue with the drug but they give different opinion saying it should be stop after this month. I have read various recent research studies about the treatment that have lasted up to a year. So we are afraid that stopping the treatment may flare up the Hepatitis B virus. What should we do? Secondly, I tested for the same condition but I came out negative. My question is should I get vaccinated or I have developed antibodies so I do not vaccination. Thanks, waiting for your reply.
Mon, 13 Jan 2014
Hi,
Welcome to HCM, For you, answer is simple. You must get vaccination immediately , if you have not been vaccinated before. For your husband, from your question, it is not clear that on which criteria, he has been started those medications. I am sure, he nust have undergone complete Hepatitis b serology including Hepatitis Core IgG, Hep Anti E, ALT, USG for liver or liver biopsy ,Viral DNA load, HIV test, before he started on above medication. Duration of oral Antviral drugs is usually inconsistent, and depends on the response . But usually it could be anywhere from 1 yr to 5 years, with regular monitoring of Viral Load, Seroconversion, etc. Your concern is valid, to just stop after 1 month without any positive outcome is not understandable. There are high chances of developing resisitance to lamivudine.
You talk to the Doctor who started the above medication and try to understand his clinical approach, and discuss your concern. You may send us all lab results and any further information, if you need further assistance. Meanwhile you continue giving him medicines. There is no harm if you are giving him for extra few days, rather then stopping and starting again.
Dr H Hamdani
Welcome to HCM, For you, answer is simple. You must get vaccination immediately , if you have not been vaccinated before. For your husband, from your question, it is not clear that on which criteria, he has been started those medications. I am sure, he nust have undergone complete Hepatitis b serology including Hepatitis Core IgG, Hep Anti E, ALT, USG for liver or liver biopsy ,Viral DNA load, HIV test, before he started on above medication. Duration of oral Antviral drugs is usually inconsistent, and depends on the response . But usually it could be anywhere from 1 yr to 5 years, with regular monitoring of Viral Load, Seroconversion, etc. Your concern is valid, to just stop after 1 month without any positive outcome is not understandable. There are high chances of developing resisitance to lamivudine.
You talk to the Doctor who started the above medication and try to understand his clinical approach, and discuss your concern. You may send us all lab results and any further information, if you need further assistance. Meanwhile you continue giving him medicines. There is no harm if you are giving him for extra few days, rather then stopping and starting again.
Dr H Hamdani
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