ENTECAVIR (Systemic)?
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
? Not commercially available in Canada.
Category
Description
Entecavir ((en-TE-ka-veer)) is used in the treatmentof the infection caused by hepatitis B virus. Entecavir is not a cure forthe hepatitis B virus; the long-term effects of the drug on the infectionand the liver are unknown at this time.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage forms:
Oral- Oral solution (U.S.)
- Tablets (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For entecavir, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusualor allergic reaction to entecavir. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist ifyou are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, ordyes.
Pregnancy?Entecavir has not been studied in pregnant women.However, studies in animals have shown that entecavir causes unwanted effects.Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnantor if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?Entecavir passes into the milk of rats, it isnot known whether entecavir passes into human milk. Entecavir is not recommendedduring breast-feeding.
Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only inadult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of entecavirin children with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of entecavir in the elderly with use in other age groups, theelderly may be more sensitive to the effects of entecavir.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of entecavir. Make sure you tell your doctor ifyou have any other medical problems, especially:
- Kidney disease?Your doctor may need to adjust your dose
- Liver transplant?Your doctor will need to monitor your kidneyfunction
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not takeit more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.Also, do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor first.
Importance of taking on an empty stomach.
The importance of reading the patient information leaflet before startingentecavir treatment and each time you refill.
Correctly measuring the oral solution and rinsing the dosing spoon withwater after each use.
Dosing?The dose of entecavir will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of entecavir. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of tablets or teaspoonfuls of solution that you take dependson the strength of the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For chronic hepatitis B infection
- For oral dosage form (oral solution):
- Adults?0.5 to 1 milligram once daily. You may take less ofthis medicine or less often if you have kidney problems.
- Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- Adults?0.5 to 1 milligram once daily. You may take less ofthis medicine or less often if you have kidney problems.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take itas soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skipthe missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not doubledoses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask yourhealth care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do notuse. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress atregular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicineis working properly.
Consulting physician immediately if symptoms of hepatomegaly or lacticacidosis occur
Liver disease may become worse if treatment with entecavir is stopped. Do not stop taking entecavir unless your doctor tells you tostop.
Treatment with entecavir has not been shown to decreasethe chance of giving hepatitis B virus infection to other people through sexualcontact or blood contamination.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Other side effects may occur that usuallydo not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome.
Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.
Developed: 05/10/2005
