Manufacturer: Zydus Cadila
Salt Composition : Entecavir(0.5mg)
Entehep 0.5 Tablet should be taken in an empty stomach. Take it in the exact dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. Follow the instructions carefully. Taking it regularly at the right times greatly increases the effectiveness and help improve liver function, and decrease the risk of complications associated with chronic HBV infection. It is not known whether Entehep 0.5 Tablet will reduce your chances of getting liver cancer or liver damage (cirrhosis), which may be caused by chronic HBV infection. Do not miss a dose and keep taking until your doctor tells you it is safe to stop.
Common side effects of this medicine include headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, and diarrhea. These are usually not serious but tell your doctor if they bother you or do not go away. Rarely, some people may experience a skin reaction or liver damage. Your doctor will closely monitor you for these in the initial period of treatment.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have any skin problems or kidney disease. While using it, you may need regular blood tests to check your blood counts and liver function. Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of liver damage. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using this medicine. Do not have unprotected sex or share personal items like razors or toothbrushes, if you are HIV positive. Talk to your doctor about safe ways like condoms to prevent HIV transmission during sex.
Entehep 0.5 Tablet is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.
Entecavir is efficiently phosphorylated to the active triphosphate form. After reaching peak concentration, entecavir plasma concentrations decreased in a bi-exponential manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 128-149 hours. The phosphorylated metabolite has a half-life of 15 hours.
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Entehep
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Hypersensitivity, Patients with HIV who are not receiving HAART.
Entehep 0.5 Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Entehep 0.5 Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Entehep 0.5 Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
BARACLUDE (entecavir) is indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent elevations in serum aminotransferases (ALT or AST) or histologically active disease.
There are 3 disease interactions with entecavir which include: hepatotoxicity. hemodialysis. renal dysfunction.
Do not chew, crush or break it. Entehep 0.5 Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Entehep 0.5 Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
You have been prescribed Entehep 0.5 Tablet for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Take it on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after or before a meal.
Entehep 0.5 Tablet may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
You may still develop infections or other illnesses associated with viral infection while taking this medication.
During treatment and for at least six months after stopping this medicine, regular blood tests are needed to monitor your liver function, level of hepatitis B virus and blood cells in your blood.
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Entehep 0.5 Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.
Q. How should Entehep 0.5 Tablet be taken?
You should take Entehep 0.5 Tablet exactly as prescribed by your doctor and continue taking it till your doctor tells you to stop. It is usually taken once a day on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after a meal and at least 2 hours before the next meal. It is advised to take it around the same time every day. If not sure, consult your doctor.
Q. Can Entehep 0.5 Tablet cause liver problems?
Yes, Entehep 0.5 Tablet can cause serious liver problems like hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver) and steatosis (an increased build-up of fat in the liver). It is important to know that hepatomegaly along with steatosis is a serious medical emergency which requires immediate medical attention.
Q. What are the symptoms of serious liver problems?
The symptoms of liver problems include jaundice (a condition in which your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow), dark-colored urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite, nausea and stomach pain. These symptoms are more common in women, overweight patients, or if you have been on Entehep 0.5 Tablet for a long time. Immediately contact your doctor if you experience any such symptoms.
Q. What is drug resistance? Can I develop drug resistance with Entehep 0.5 Tablet?
Drug resistance is a state where the medicine which was once effective in treating an infection becomes ineffective. This mainly happens due to the ability acquired by the virus or bacteria to get modified inside the body which affects the overall working of the medicine. Hence, the medicine is no longer able to fight against the virus or bacteria. Generally, drug resistance with Entehep 0.5 Tablet is more likely to happen if you take less dose than what is recommended.
