Continue or stop taking hepatitis B medication after giving birth?

(Ms. Dinh Thi Ngoc, 26 years old, residing in Long Binh Tan ward, Bien Hoa city)

Doctor replied:

Hello!

Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of hepatitis B in the world . Hepatitis B is transmitted through three main routes: blood, unsafe sex, and mother to child. Hepatitis B infection, if not detected, monitored, and treated promptly, can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Currently, according to the 2019 guidelines of the Vietnamese Ministry of Health , in cases where the mother is infected with chronic hepatitis B and has not been prescribed treatment, the HBV DNA load is measured at the 24th-28th week of pregnancy. If the viral load meets the criteria, treatment is prescribed.

In your case, you are prescribed Tenofovir 300mg, which is the only drug recommended for pregnant and lactating women and is not contraindicated for breastfeeding if you are using this drug, and continue to use it for up to 4-12 weeks after giving birth.

A small note, you should go to a medical facility for examination, related tests and ask your doctor for advice on stopping using this drug. After stopping the drug, you should still go to the hospital to monitor your liver function periodically.

Hopefully the above information can help you make the best choice in treating your hepatitis B.

Doctor Nguyen Thi Lai,

Department of Gastroenterology, Dong Nai General Hospital