Sex: M
Vaccine: HEP
Symptoms: Abdominal discomfort, Abdominal distension, Abdominal pain, Diarrhoea, Dysgeusia
Clinical narrative: This case was reported by a consumer and described the occurrence of hepatitis C in a male patient who received Combivir tablet over a period of 18 months for human immunodeficiency virus infection. a physician or other health care professional has not verified this report. Concurrent medical conditions included HIV positive, co suspect vaccination included Hepatitis B vaccine. Concurrent medications included tenofovir disoproxil fumarate Viread, efavirenz Sustiva and Hepatitis A vaccine. the patient reported that he had received the full series of Hepatitis B vaccine and was immune to hepatitis B prior to initiation of Combivir. In Sept 2004 the patient started Combivir oral at 1 tablet twice per day. Immediately after starting Combivir, the patient developed diarrhea and bloating. He subsequently developed severe pain, itching, and burning on the right side of his abdomen. In Jan 2005 diagnostic testing was positive for Hepatitis C. Additionally, the patient reported that he experienced pancreatic atrophy, sore throat, sinus problems, pneumonia, drowsiness after taking his medications, and tasting the medication for seven to eight hours following ingestion. The patient was hospitalised. Treatment with Combivir was discontinued. At the time of reporting, the events were unresolved. The patient stated that he started a regimen of Combivir, Viread, and Sustiva in Sept 2004, diarrhea and bloating started immediately after the regimen was started. He stated that he had severe pain and itching and burning on the right side of his abdomen. At the time the regimen was started, the patient had already received a full series of Hepatitis B vaccine and was immune to Hepatitis B. All hepatitis results in 2004 were negative, and he had a Cat Scan in Nov 2004 which showed no liver damage. A hepatitis test in Jan 2005 showed he was positive for Hepatitis C, although he was unaware that this test was positive and continued his drug regimen. He reported that he continued to complain of side effects, but that his doctor did not think it was drug related. The patient also stated that he would become drowsy after taking his medications, and he could taste the medication for 7 to 8 hours after taking it. The patient was recently made aware of his positive Hepatitis C status and discontinued all of his medications approximately fours days prior to the time of this report. Follow up information received from the consumer patient on 4/7/06 indicated that the patient experienced the previously reported events while on Epivir and not on Combivir, as was previously reported. He also reported additional adverse events and wanted to clarify that it is Hepatitis and not Hepatitis C that he had. He further reports that he believes that it is a combination of Epivir and the Hepatitis B vaccine that has caused the problems that he is experiencing. In addition to the previously reported events the patient reports that he also experienced hepatomegaly, hepatitis, stomach problems further described as stomach abnormalities and pancreatitis while taking Epivir. He feels that doctors just feel that he is an intravenous drug user and has multiple sex partners rather than hepatic problems being caused by the Epivir. He further reports that he has never done intravenous drugs and he is not the type of patient that they think he is. He also reports that an ultrasound revealed that he had hepatomegaly.