— Christine M. Kukka, Project Manager, HBV Advocate
Hong Kong researchers evaluated the side effects of
commonly-used antivirals in the December 2013 issue of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Antivirals disrupt the genetic make-up of HBV, making it difficult for
the virus to replicate. While generally safe, patients must take
antiviral pills daily over several years and side effects include
damage to the mitochondria of the body's cells (called mitochondria
toxicity.)
According to the article, mitochondria toxicity can lead to muscle weakness (myopathy), numbness and tingling in fingers and toes (peripheral neuropathy),
kidney damage and lactic acidosis—when unhealthy levels of lactate
build up because it is not cleared by the weakened mitochondria.
- The antivirals clevudine and telbivudine (Tyzeka) have been found to cause myopathy and kidney problems.
- Both adefovir (Hepsera) and tenofovir (Viread) cause kidney damage (depending on the dose).
- Neuropathy is most commonly found in patients taking a combination of telbivudine and interferon.
- Increased risk of lactic acidosis has been
found in patients with impaired liver and kidney function who take
entecavir (Baraclude).
However, not all antiviral side
effects are bad, the authors noted. Recent research has found that the
antiviral telbivudine appears to somehow enhance kidney health.
To date, researchers have not
found any harmful side effects from antivirals when they are
administered to pregnant women to reduce their high viral loads and
lessen the risk of infecting their newborns.
Labels: antivirals, side effects