Entecavir treatment may be associated with decreased libido in male patients with chronic hepatitis B: report of two cases

Abstract

Various types of drugs are being used to treat patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. However, these treatment modalities are not without side effects, which may result in decreased patient adherence. Entecavir is an oral reverse transcriptase inhibitor, which is widely used in patients with hepatitis B. Although headache, fatigue and nausea are well-documented side effects of entecavir, its sexual side effects have not been reported yet. We here report on two male patients with chronic hepatitis B infection who reported decreased libido under entecavir treatment.

Do oral antiviral drugs used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B cause erectile dysfunction?

“…The literature studies regarding ED among patients, diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, is quite rare. In a research conducted in 2016, 2 cases indicating a decrease in libido under entecavir therapy were presented [19]. Nevertheless, no side effects of this kind were reported concerning tenofovir, which was also intensively used in particularly in case of HIV therapy [20].…”

Constipation during Entecavir treatment in Chronic Hepatitis B patients: Two Cases Reports

“…Although nucleos (t) ide analogues and peginterferon alfa are approved for the treatment of CHB, these agents are not without adverse reactions [2][3][4]. ETV has previously been reported to be associated with the adverse reactions such as headache, fatigue, nausea, decreased libido, etc, [3][4][5].…”

“…Although nucleos (t) ide analogues and peginterferon alfa are approved for the treatment of CHB, these agents are not without adverse reactions [2][3][4]. ETV has previously been reported to be associated with the adverse reactions such as headache, fatigue, nausea, decreased libido, etc, [3][4][5]. In the It is well-known that when a patient receives a medication and subsequently develops an adverse drug event, the physician and patient are faced with the complex task of determining whether or not a causal relationship exists [6].…”