Hepatitis E Medication

  • Author: Sandeep Mukherjee, MB, BCh, MPH, FRCPC; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 3, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Medical therapy consists of electrolyte repletion and stabilization.

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Electrolytes

Class Summary

Electrolytes are necessary in patients with profound malnutrition or dehydration. They may be repleted orally or parenterally, depending on the clinical state of the patient.

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Potassium chloride

 

Potassium is essential for transmission of nerve impulses, contraction of cardiac muscle, maintenance of intracellular tonicity, skeletal and smooth muscles, and maintenance of normal renal function. Gradual potassium depletion occurs via renal excretion or GI loss or because of low intake. Depletion may result from severe diarrhea.

Potassium depletion sufficient to cause 1 mEq/L drop in the serum potassium level requires a loss of approximately 100-200 mEq of potassium from the total body store.

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Calcium gluconate

 

Calcium moderates nerve and muscle performance and facilitates normal cardiac function. It can be given intravenously initially, and calcium levels can be maintained with a high calcium diet. Some patients require oral calcium supplementation. The 10% IV solution provides 100 mg/mL of calcium gluconate that equals 9 mg/mL (0.46 mEq/mL) of elemental calcium. One 10 mL ampule contains 93 mg of elemental calcium

Potassium phosphate

 

For severe hypophosphatemia (< 1 mg/dL), parenteral preparations of phosphate should be used for repletion. IV preparations are available as sodium or potassium phosphate (K2PO4). Response to IV serum phosphorus supplementation is highly variable and is associated with hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia. The rate of infusion and choice of initial dosage should be based on severity of hypophosphatemia and presence of symptoms. Serum phosphate and calcium should be monitored closely.

For less severe hypophosphatemia (1-2 mg/dL), PO phosphate salt preparations can be used. PO preparations are available as sodium or potassium phosphate in capsule or liquid form. Neutra-Phos packets contain 250 mg of phosphorus/packet. Tablets contain either 250, 125.6, or 114 mg each. Liquid preparations are available as 250 mg/75 mL.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Sandeep Mukherjee, MB, BCh, MPH, FRCPC  Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Consulting Staff, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veteran Affairs Medical Center

Sandeep Mukherjee, MB, BCh, MPH, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Ikaria Pharmaceuticals Honoraria Board membership

Coauthor(s)

Jonathan M Schwartz, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Sciences University School of Medicine

Jonathan M Schwartz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Kenneth Ingram, PAC  Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Kenneth D Flora, MD  Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Gastroenterology, The Oregon Clinic

Kenneth D Flora, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, and American Gastroenterological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

David Eric Bernstein, MD Director of Hepatology, North Shore University Hospital; Professor of Clinical Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

David Eric Bernstein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

References

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  7. Shrestha MP, Scott RM, Joshi DM, et al. Safety and efficacy of a recombinant hepatitis E vaccine. N Engl J Med. Mar 1 2007;356(9):895-903. [Medline].

  8. Zhu FC, Zhang J, Zhang XF, Zhou C, Wang ZZ, Huang SJ. Efficacy and safety of a recombinant hepatitis E vaccine in healthy adults: a large-scale, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. Sep 11 2010;376(9744):895-902. [Medline].

  9. Legrand-Abravanel F, Kamar N, Sandres-Saune K, et al. Hepatitis E virus infection without reactivation in solid-organ transplant recipients, France. Emerg Infect Dis. Jan 2011;17(1):30-7. [Medline].

  10. Favorov MO, Fields HA, Purdy MA, et al. Serologic identification of hepatitis E virus infections in epidemic and endemic settings. J Med Virol. Apr 1992;36(4):246-50. [Medline].

  11. Ghabrah TM, Tsarev S, Yarbough PO, et al. Comparison of tests for antibody to hepatitis E virus. J Med Virol. Jun 1998;55(2):134-7. [Medline].

 
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