Entecavir

What is Entecavir?

Entecavir is a prescription drug that treats chronic hepatitis B infection in adults.

Doctors also recommend it to treat liver damage in children 2 years age and older.

The viral cause of hepatitis B is the hepatitis B virus, which results in liver infection.

Long-term infection can lead to liver damage, and rarely liver cancer & liver failure.

This medication does not treat hepatitis B. It does not stop spread of virus to others via sexual contact or blood contamination.

Under the US brand name Baraclude, Entecavir is available. After a doctor’s prescription, you can order this medicine from a licensed pharmacy.

However, you can save on Entecavir price by ordering it from an online drugstore and avail discounts.

Entecavir uses

Doctors recommend Entecavir for:

• Treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV)

How does Entecavir work?

Entecavir is an antiviral medication that belongs to a class of drugs called Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI).

It works by preventing multiplication of viruses in human cells. This further stops virus from producing new viruses and clears up infection.

How to take Entecavir?

Before you start treatment with Entecavir, it is important to read patient information leaflet carefully.

If there is any doubt or confusion about Entavir 0.5 mg uses or its dosage, discuss it with doctor once.

Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach only once a day or as directed by a doctor.

You can take Entecavir at least 2 hours after having a meal and 2 hours before your next meal.

Swallow tablet as a whole with a glass of plain water without crushing, chewing, or breaking it.

Food might affect how well this drug works, so taking it on an empty stomach is necessary for treating hepatitis B virus.

When taking Entecavir oral liquid, measure your dose carefully with the measuring spoon provided with medication.

Do not use a household spoon as it can give you an incorrect dose. Swallow medicine directly from a spoon.

Never mix the medicine with water or other liquids. After each use, rinse spoon with water properly.

Based on your medical condition and body’s response to treatment, dosage of Entecavir will be determined.

For children, dosage of this medicine depends on their weight.

It is necessary to continue taking this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor without skipping any doses.

This medicine works best when amount of medicine in body is kept at a constant level. Entecavir should be taken at evenly spaced intervals.

To help you remember, make sure to take this medication at same time each day.

Do not take more or less of this drug than directed or stop taking it for a short time unless directed by your doctor.

Infection may become more difficult to treat or worsen adverse effects if this is done, as the number of virus may rise.

• Missed dose

Take Entecavir as soon as possible if you miss a dose. If the next recommended dosage is already due, skip the missing one.

Take your next dose at a regular time and do not double the dose just to catch up on missed one.

• Overdose

In case, you have overdosed and experience severe symptoms like trouble breathing or passing out then contact a doctor immediately.

Precautions and Warnings for Entecavir

Do not take Entecavir, if you are allergic to it, or have any other allergies. Let doctor know immediately.

This medicine might contain some inactive ingredients which can cause you allergic reactions or other problems.

Before starting your treatment with this medicine, inform doctor about your medical history, especially of:

• Kidney disorder
• HIV infection
• Liver problem
• Hepatitis B medicines taken in past
• Stomach disorders

It is necessary that doctor check your and your child’s progress during regular visits.

This will help doctor to see whether medicine is working properly for you or not. Blood tests might be required to check unwanted effects.

Intake of this medication can make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana consumption can make you feel more dizzy.

Do not drive, use machinery, or be involved in anything that requires alertness unless you can do it safely.

Strictly avoid alcohol and alcoholic beverages as they can worsen your liver problems.

Before undergoing any surgery, inform your doctor about using this medicine.

To reduce your risk of spreading hepatitis B to others, use an effective barrier method during sexual intercourse.

During pregnancy, this drug should be taken only when recommended by the doctor.

It is not known whether Entecavir helps to prevent hepatitis B virus from passing from mother to baby.

If you have HIV, breast milk might transmit HIV. Before breastfeeding make sure to consult a doctor.

Rarely, Entecavir might cause severe liver disorders and lactic acid build-up in your blood.

During treatment, if you suffer from loss of appetite, unusual drowsiness, irregular heartbeat or abdominal pain then inform doctor quickly.

Hepatitis B infection might get worse, if you stop taking Entecavir tablet suddenly. Without consulting a doctor, do not stop taking it.

Your doctor will do some blood tests to check your liver for several months after stopping treatment with this drug.

This medicine is not recommended for patients who have both HIV and hepatitis B.

Before starting this medicine, get an HIV test and get tested again anytime when you are infected.

Side effects of Entecavir

Keep in mind that the reason your doctor ordered this medication is that they believe it will benefit you more than it will cause negative side effects.

Many people using this medicine do not suffer from any severe side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medicine is rare. Consult a doctor if you experience rash, serious dizziness, trouble breathing, and swelling of your face.

Some common side effects of Entecavir include:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Tired feeling
• Unusual muscle pain
• Feeling cold

In the event that any of your adverse effects worsen over time or continue, get emergency medical attention.

Interactions

Drug interaction might change how your medicines work or increase risk of experiencing severe side effects.

Keep a list of all products you use including herbal supplements, and prescription & non-prescription drugs. Share this with doctor.

Without approval from your doctor, do not start, stop, or change dosage of any medications.

To avoid drug interactions, do not take Entecavir with following medicines:

• Dofetilide
• Capreomycin
• Quinidine
• Colistimethate, colistin, polymyxin E
• Vancomycin
• Quinine
• Procainamide

Storage

It is advised to store Entecavir at room temperature away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Frequently asked questions about Entecavir (FAQs)

• Can Entecavir cause liver disorders?

Yes, Entecavir can cause severe liver disorders such as steatosis and hepatomegaly.

It is necessary to know that hepatomegaly along with steatosis is a severe medical emergency that needs quick medical attention.

• Can Entecavir cure hepatitis B?

No, Entecavir does not cure hepatitis B but might improve condition of your liver.

This medication can help to reduce amount of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in your body.

It is done by restricting ability of HBV to multiply and further infect new cells of liver.

• How long do you have to take Entecavir?

Do not stop taking Entecavir without consulting a doctor. Stopping this medicine before treatment might worsen your hepatitis condition.

This might happen during first several months after you stop taking this medicine.

It is advised to take Entecavir strictly as recommended without missing and dose.