Entecavir (Entavir)

Entecavir

What is Entecavir?

Entecavir is a prescription medicine that helps to treat long-term hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B is an infection of liver that is caused due to hepatitis B. Long-term infection can damage your liver and cause liver cancer & liver failure.

You need to know this medication aids in decreasing amount of hepatitis B virus in body.

It is still unknown whether this medicine lowers your risk of getting liver cancer or liver damage.

Entecavir is an antiviral drug that belongs to a class of medicines known as hepatitis B virus nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

However, entecavir 1 mg is not meant to cure hepatitis B. It does not prevent spread of virus to others via sexual contact or blood/body fluid infection.

You can find Entecavir available in market under brand name Baraclude. Buy Baraclude online from a licensed online pharmacy.

Entecavir HBV should be taken only after recommendation of the doctor.

This medicine is available as a tablet and a liquid solution that is normally taken once a day.

Entecavir uses

Doctors recommend Entecavir tablets for:

• Treatment of Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

How does Entecavir work in body?

Entecavir is a type of antiviral medicine known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NTRI).

It inserts itself into hepatitis B virus’s DNA and prevents the virus from making replicas of itself.

How to take Entecavir?

Before you start taking Entecavir or every time you get a refill, carefully read patient information leaflet.

In case, there are any questions or doubts about medicine or its dosage then you can ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine is taken by mouth on an empty stomach almost 2 hours after having a meal or 2 hours before next meal, mainly once a day.

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

It is important to take Entecavir as directed by a doctor to treat your condition quickly.

In this case, doctor recommends you take entecavir oral suspension then measure your dose with a spoon provided with medicine.

Avoid using a household spoon as it can get an incorrect dose. Swallow medicine directly from measuring spoon.

You must never mix medicine with water or other liquids. After each use, rinse spoon with water.

Based on your medical condition and body’s response to treatment, doctor will determine right dosage. For children, dosage depends on weight.

It is necessary to continue taking this medicine exactly as directed by a doctor. Do not skip any dosage.

This medicine works best when amount of Entecavir in body is kept at a constant level.

Take this medication at evenly spaced intervals. Entecavir should be taken at same time every day.

Avoid taking more or less of this medication than directed or stop taking it even for a short time unless directed by a doctor.

Doing so can increase amount of virus and make it difficult to treat infection or even worse your side effects.

• Missed dose

If you miss Entecavir dose then take it as soon as possible. However, if it’s time for next prescribed dosage then skip missed dose.

Do not double your dose just to make up for missed one as this will lead to an overdose of Entecavir.

• Overdose

If you have overdosed and experience severe symptoms like trouble breathing then call your doctor.

Precautions and warnings

Before you take Entecavir, inform doctor if you are allergic to it or have any other kind of allergies.

It is possible that this medication contains inactive components that could cause allergic reactions or other side effects.

Before using this medication, let doctor know about your medical history, mainly of:

• Kidney disorder
• HIV infection
• Liver problem

If you have taken any other hepatitis B drugs in past then inform doctor beforehand.

This medicine can make you feel dizzy. Consuming alcohol or marijuana might make you more dizzy.

Except when it's safe to do so, stay away from operating machinery, driving, and other tasks that need attentiveness.

Alcoholic beverages should be avoided strictly as they can worsen your liver disorders.

Before undergoing any surgery, inform doctor about your treatment with Entecavir.

To reduce your risk of spreading hepatitis B to others, use an effective barrier method while indulging in sexual activity.

This medication must only be taken as directed by a doctor when pregnant.

It is unknown whether this medicine aids in preventing hepatitis B virus from passing from mother to baby.

You must discuss all risks and benefits with doctor.

It is not known whether medicine passes into breast milk. In case, you have HIV then breast milk might transmit HIV. Before breastfeeding consult your doctor.

Your hepatitis B infection might get worse if you stop taking this medicine without consulting a doctor.

After you stop Entecavir, doctor might conduct some blood tests to check your liver functions for several months.

This medicine is not prescribed if you have both HIV and hepatitis B and are not receiving effective treatment for HIV condition.

Side effects

Like other medicines, Entecavir can also cause some side effects. Not everyone suffers from serious side effects.

Some mild side effects start disappearing as your body adjusts to this medicine after some time.

Remember this medicine has been prescribed as your doctor has judged that benefit of Entecavir is greater than the risk of side effects.

Some minor & major side effects of Entecavir include:

• Eczema, rash, or hives are examples of allergic reactions.
• Breathing difficulties
• Dark urine
• Loss of appetite
• Unusually weak or tired
• Yellowing of eyes or skin
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Seek immediate medical attention if any of your adverse effects worsen over time or persist.

Interactions

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

Let your doctor know if you use any other products such as prescription & non-prescription medicines and herbal supplements.

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

Here are some medicines which interact with Entecavir:

• Aspirin
• Flonase
• Januvia
• Lasix
• Prolia
• Tylenol
• Zofran

Storage

This medicine should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Frequently asked questions about Entecavir (FAQs)

• Can Entecavir cause liver disorders?

Yes, this medicine can make you suffer from severe liver problems such as hepatomegaly and steatosis.

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

• What are the symptoms of severe liver disorders?

The symptoms of liver disorders mainly include jaundice, light-colored stools, dark-colored urine, nausea, loss of appetite, and stomach pain.

These symptoms are more common in women, overweight patients, or when you take Baraclude 0.5mg tablet for a long time.

In case, you suffer from such symptoms then immediately contact your doctor.

• Can Entecavir cure your hepatitis B?

No, Entecavir tablet does not cure hepatitis B but it can improve your liver condition.

This medicine aids in reducing amount of hepatitis B virus (HBV) present in your body.

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

• How long do I need to take Entecavir?

Keep this medication under your doctor's advice at all times.Stopping treatment before can worsen your hepatitis.

This happens during first several months after you stop taking Baraclude tablets.

Make sure to take this medication strictly as directed by a doctor without missing any dosage.

• Can I suffer from drug resistance with Entecavir?

Drug resistance is a condition where medication that was once effective in treating an infection becomes ineffective.

This happens when ability required by a virus or bacteria to get modified inside your body affects working mechanism of medicine.

Due to this reason, medicine is not able to fight against viruses or bacteria.

However, drug resistance with Entecavir happens when you take less dosage than recommended by a doctor.