Entekor 0.5 mg (Entecavir) belongs to the class of anti-viral drugs indicated against Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection in adults. Entekor 0.5 (Entecavir) lowers the amount of HBV cells in the body by affecting their ability to multiply (replicate) and infect new liver cells. Additionally, Entekor 0.5 (Entecavir) is also used in HIV patients co-infected with HBV who never had other highly-active anti-retroviral medicines.
Entekor 0.5 mg (Entecavir) improves the worsening condition of the liver by reducing the viral load. However, it is important to inform patients that it is not used to completely cure HBV infection or reduce their chances of procuring liver cancer and scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).
Entecavir is recommended orally once daily in treatment-naïve adult patients with compensated liver disease and over 16 years of age. It is swallowed on an empty stomach at least 2 hours after a meal and 2 hours before the next meal.
Once the Entekor is swallowed, it quickly absorbs in the body in between 30 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once absorption is done, the drug binds with HBV cells with 13% affinity. Furthermore, it metabolizes in the liver and gets eliminated (50% of the drug) through urine in roughly 24 hours.
Note:
Treatment-naïve: Patients who haven’t taken other anti-viral medicines
Compensated liver disease: Liver disease with a functional system
Warnings before starting Entekor (Entecavir):
Dosing warnings:
Take Entekor 0.5 as prescribed by your doctor and do not change the dose or discontinue it
If a particular dose is missed, take it as you remember and follow the prescribed regimen
If it is time for the next dose, skip the last one and avoid taking two doses at a time
Patients Co-infected with HIV and HBV:
Patients should be tested with HIV antibody testing in the above-mentioned type of patients. These patients should be informed that they are not taking Entecavir for their HIV infection, as it might increase the resistance power of HIV.
Severe acute conditions of Hepatitis B:
These conditions are mostly found in patients who discontinue Entekor (Entecavir) in the mid-way of the regimen. In such cases, it is important to carry out appropriate liver tests for at least several months.
Pregnancy-related issues:
If patients are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, it should be discussed with the doctor before taking Entekor [Entecavir] as it may affect the fetus.
Patients should also be informed that Entecavir does not decrease the chances of HBV transmission through sexual contact or blood contamination.
Other warnings:
Patients should be checked if they have,
Kidney disease
Other medical conditions
Received any other medicine for their HBV infection, vitamins, or herbal supplements
Side-effects of Entekor:
If patients are seen with excessive amounts of acid in the blood (lactic acidosis), such patients should be immediately rushed to the hospital. These conditions are generally seen in patients who were seriously ill due to liver disease or other complications. Signs and symptoms of lactic acidosis include,
Tiredness (Fatigue)
Abnormal pain in the muscles
Shortness of breath (Dyspnea)
Stomach pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Chills on hands and legs
Dizziness
Irregular heartbeats
If patients are seen with serious problems including enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) or excessive amounts of fat in the liver (steatosis) with symptoms like,
White part of eyes turning yellow (Jaundice)
Dark coloured urine
Light coloured stools
Loss of appetite
Nausea with stomach problems like pain in the lower part
Most common side-effects:
Headache
Nausea
Tiredness
Dizziness
Note: These are not all possible side-effects of Entekor, please ask your doctor for more information regarding the same.