Entavir 0.5mg Tablet is an antiviral drug belonging to the category of medicines called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
The active ingredient is Entecavir.
It is used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Uses:
Treatment of chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Therapeutic Effects:
It works by inhibiting DNA synthesis and effectively reduces the viral count in the body.
Helps to suppress HBV replication.
Can lead to improved liver conditions by reducing liver inflammation and preventing further liver damage caused by the virus.
Interaction 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 Entavir 0.5mg tablet and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.
Safety Advices:
Pregnancy: Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting, or planning to get pregnant during the treatment. Entavir 0.5mg tablet should not be taken while pregnant unless specifically advised by your doctor.
Breastfeeding: Avoid breastfeeding your baby while on the treatment, as it is unknown whether Entavir 0.5mg tablet passes into the breast milk.
Lungs: It is unknown whether Entavir 0.5mg tablet is safe to be administered in patients with lung diseases.
Liver: Entavir 0.5mg tablet should be cautiously administered in patients with liver diseases. Dose adjustments are necessary.
Alcohol: It is highly unsafe to drink alcohol while taking an Entavir 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 Entavir 0.5mg tablet on driving and ability. Dizziness and seizures have been reported by the patients.
Side Effects:
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).
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.
Entavir 0.5mg tablet contains lactose as an inactive ingredient, which the body is unable to digest in lactose intolerance. It can cause symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain. If you have lactose intolerance, inform your doctor before starting this therapy.
FAQs:
What is Entavir 0.5mg tablet used for?
Entavir 0.5mg tablet is used to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults, children, and adolescents (2-18 years old).
How does Entavir 0.5mg tablet work?
Entavir 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.
What are the common side effects of Entavir 0.5mg tablet?
Nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, insomnia (inability to sleep), fatigue (extreme tiredness), and indigestion are the common side effects of Entavir 0.5mg tablet.
Does Entavir 0.5mg tablet cause lactic acidosis?
Entavir 0.5mg tablet may cause lactic acidosis (excess lactic acid in the blood), a rare but severe adverse effect, particularly in obese women.
Is Entavir 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.
Can Entavir 0.5mg tablet harm the liver?
Entavir 0.5mg tablet can cause serious liver issues like steatosis and hepatomegaly (liver enlargement) (an increased build-up of fat in the liver).
How is Entavir 0.5mg tablet taken?
Entavir 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.
Is Entavir 0.5mg tablet effective in treating hepatitis B virus infection?
Yes, the Entavir 0.5mg tablet is effective in suppressing the replication of the hepatitis B virus and reducing the amount of virus in the blood.
How long should Entavir 0.5mg tablet be taken?
Avoid stopping this drug without first talking to your doctor. Entavir 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.
Entavir 0.5mg tablet vs. Tenofovir: which is more effective?
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and Entavir 0.5mg tablet (ETV) are effective antivirals that are recommended as first-line monotherapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection treatment.
