Entecashiv
$12.00 – $33.00
Introduction to Entecashiv 0.5mg Tablet
Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet is an antiviral drug belonging to the category of medicines called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), containing the active ingredient Entecavir. It is used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It occurs when the immune system is unable to effectively clear the virus from the liver within six months after the initial infection.
Before starting the treatment with this drug, it is important to inform your doctor about any existing skin problems, as well as any history of anemia, seizures, or liver or kidney disease. Regular blood tests may be important to monitor your blood counts and liver function while using this medication. These tests help your healthcare provider assess how your body is responding to the medication and detect any potential side effects or complications early on. Alcohol consumption should be completely avoided, as it may increase the risk of liver damage. This drug may cause lactic acidosis (excess lactic acid in the blood), a rare but severe adverse effect, particularly in obese women. But if you have nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain while taking this tablet, please contact your physician immediately.
Introduction to Entecashiv 0.5mg Tablet
Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet is an antiviral drug belonging to the category of medicines called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), containing the active ingredient Entecavir. It is used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It occurs when the immune system is unable to effectively clear the virus from the liver within six months after the initial infection.
Before starting the treatment with this drug, it is important to inform your doctor about any existing skin problems, as well as any history of anemia, seizures, or liver or kidney disease. Regular blood tests may be important to monitor your blood counts and liver function while using this medication. These tests help your healthcare provider assess how your body is responding to the medication and detect any potential side effects or complications early on. Alcohol consumption should be completely avoided, as it may increase the risk of liver damage. This drug may cause lactic acidosis (excess lactic acid in the blood), a rare but severe adverse effect, particularly in obese women. But if you have nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain while taking this tablet, please contact your physician immediately.
Consult your doctor before using this medication if you are pregnant or plan to have a baby. Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet should not be taken while pregnant unless specifically advised by your doctor. Using effective contraceptive methods while using this tablet is recommended to avoid pregnancy. Avoid breastfeeding your baby while on the treatment, as it is unknown if this drug passes into the breast milk. Do not take this tablet if you are allergic to any of the other ingredients of this medicine. It is important for individuals living with HIV to take precautions to prevent transmission of the virus. This includes avoiding unprotected sex and sharing personal items such as razors or toothbrushes. Condoms and other safe practices can help reduce the risk of transmitting HIV during sexual activity. It is recommended to have a discussion with your doctor about appropriate measures for preventing transmission.
Uses of Entecashiv 0.5mg Tablet
- Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
Therapeutic Effects of Entecashiv 0.5mg Tablet
It works by inhibiting DNA synthesis and effectively reduces the viral count in the body, helping to suppress HBV replication. As a result, it can lead to improved liver conditions by reducing liver inflammation and preventing further liver damage caused by the virus.
Interaction of Entecashiv0.5mg Tablet with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications interact with Entaliv 0.5mg tablet and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.
More Information about Entaliv 0.5mg Tablet
- Store the Entaliv 0.5mg tablet in a tightly closed container at 25°C
- Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets
How to consume Entecashiv 0.5mg Tablet
It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet based on the disease condition and other factors such as body weight and age. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet at the same time, with or without food. Do not break, chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with a glass of water. If you forgot to take the tablet, take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Safety Advices for Entecashiv 0.5mg Tablet
Pregnancy
Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting, or planning to get pregnant during the treatment. Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet should not be taken while pregnant unless specifically advised by your doctor.
Breast Feeding
Avoid breastfeeding your baby while on the treatment, as it is unknown whether Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet passes into the breast milk. Consult your doctor for more advice before initiating the therapy.
Lungs
It is unknown whether Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet is safe to be administered in patients with lung diseases. Inform your physician if you have any lung diseases before initiating the therapy.
Liver
Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet should be cautiously administered in patients with liver diseases. Dose adjustments are necessary. However, inform your physician if you have any liver diseases before initiating the therapy.
Alcohol
It is highly unsafe to drink alcohol while taking an Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet. It may reduce the effectiveness of the drug and can cause liver damage.
Driving
Limited studies are available on the effects of Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet on driving and ability. Dizziness and seizures have been reported by the patients. However, if you experience these, inform your doctor and seek medical advice.
Side Effects of Entecashiv 0.5mg Tablet
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Serious
- Lactic acidosis (muscle pain, troubled breathing, stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, cold, especially in arms and legs, dizziness)
- Liver problems (yellow skin and whites of the eyes, dark urine, light-colored stools, lower stomach pain)
Common
- Headache
- Inability to sleep
- Extreme tiredness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
Word of Advice
Sharing needles or other private items that might have blood or body fluids on them is not advised as it may spread HBV or HIV to others. Regular blood tests are recommended to evaluate your liver function, hepatitis B virus level, and blood cell count. It is advised to take the hepatitis B vaccine to avoid hepatitis B infection. Entaliv 0.5mg tablet contain lactose as an inactive ingredient in which the body is unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. It can cause symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain. If you have lactose intolerance, inform your doctor before starting this therapy. Driving or using machinery should be avoided if you feel lightheaded, tired, or sleepy.
FAQs
Q 1. What is Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet used for?
Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet is used to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults, children, and adolescents (2-18 years old).
Q 2. How does Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet work?
Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet works by inhibiting the DNA synthesis in the Hepatitis B virus by competing with a natural substrate (deoxyguanosine triphosphate), reducing the viral count, and improving liver conditions.
Q 3. What are the common side effects of Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet?
Nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, insomnia (inability to sleep), fatigue (extreme tiredness), and indigestion are the common side effects of Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet.
Q 4. Does Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet cause lactic acidosis?
Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet may cause lactic acidosis (excess lactic acid in the blood), a rare but severe adverse effect, particularly in obese women. But if you have nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain while taking this drug, please contact your physician immediately.
Q 5. Is Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet medicine safe for pregnancy?
Suppose you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant; talk to your doctor before taking this drug because it is unknown whether it is safe to take during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age taking Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet should use an effective contraception method to avoid getting pregnant.
Q 6. Can Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet harm the liver?
Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet can cause serious liver issues like steatosis and hepatomegaly (liver enlargement) (an increased build-up of fat in the liver). If you have a medical history of liver conditions, please consult your doctor, and the dose may be adjusted as needed.
Q 7. How is Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet taken?
Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet should be taken as directed by your doctor, and you should keep taking it until they advise you to stop. It is normally taken once daily on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after and before the next meal, and it is advisable to take it every day at around the same time.
Q 8. Is Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet effective in treating hepatitis B virus infection?
Yes, the Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet is effective in suppressing the replication of the hepatitis B virus and reducing the amount of virus in the blood.
Q 9. How long should Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet be taken?
Avoid stopping this drug without first talking to your doctor. Entaliv 0.5mg tablet withdrawal before treatment may make your hepatitis worse, and this may occur in the initial months after stopping the medicine. Take the medication exactly as directed.
Q 10. Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet vs. Tenofovir: which is more effective?
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and Entecashiv 0.5mg tablet (ETV) are effective antivirals that are recommended as first-line monotherapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection treatment.
Fact Box of Entecashiv 0.5mg Tablet
| Molecule name: Entecavir | Therapeutic class: Anti-viral |
| Pharmacological class: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) | Indications: Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection |
References
- Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Antiviral agents (nonretroviral), 12th edition, 2011, 1616-1617.
- Accord, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [ Revised on Feb 2019] [Accessed on 10th May 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6292.pdf
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on Dec 2010] [Accessed on 10th May 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/021797s011lbl.pdf
Related products
Virology
Virology
Virology