Prescription Required
Description
Baraclude is made up of entecavir, which is considered a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTIs (antivirals)). This medication is a pink, triangular pill and comes in 0.5mg and 1mg.
Baraclude is prescribed to help treat long term hepatitis B infections, an infection (swelling) of the liver caused by the hepatitis b virus (HBV), particularly in those with liver damage. Entecavir works by preventing certain virus cells from multiplying and decreasing the amount of hepatitis B virus in the body. Entecavir (Baraclude) should not be mistaken as a cure for HBV nor does it prevent the spreading of HBV.
Directions
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking entecavir. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after a meal and 2 hours before the next meal, usually once a day.
It is essential to continue taking this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses, even if you feel better. If you stop suddenly, you risk the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat, or worsen side effects.
This medication works best when the amount of medication in your body is kept at a constant level. Take this drug at evenly spaced intervals and take it at the same time each day.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it worsens.
Cautions
Before taking Baraclude, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
HIV or AIDS (or if you have been exposed to HIV); kidney disease; liver problems other than HBV; a liver transplant; or if you also take lamivudine (Epivir, Epzicom, Trizivir) or telbivudine (Tyzeka).
If you are overweight you may develop lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous build up of lactic in your blood.
Tell your doctor about any medications you may have used in the past to treat your hepatitis.
It is not known whether or not taking his medication will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks before proceeding.
You may be required to be tested for HIV before starting this medication. Taking medicine to treat chronic HBV can cause HIV infection to become resistant (harder to treat). Do not take Barclude if you have untreated HIV.
Side Effects
Common Baraclude side effects may include:
nausea; dizziness, tired feeling; or headache.
In some cases, after using Baraclude, patients developed lactic acidosis, which can be fatal. Get emergency medical help right away if you have even mild symptoms such as:
unusual muscle pain; feeling cold; trouble breathing; feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak; stomach pain, vomiting; or fast or irregular heartbeats.
FAQs
What are the recommended doses?
Treatment-Naïve Adults and Adolescents 16 and Up - Chronic Hepatitis B = 0.5mg once daily.
Previously Treated Adults and Adolescents 16 and Up - Chronic Hepatitis B = 1mg once daily.
Decompensated liver disease = 1 mg once daily.
Can I use this medication if I plan on becoming pregnant?
You can if the benefits outweigh the risk to the fetus. Speak to your doctor to find out exactly what the benefits and risks are.
Are there any labs or medical tests I should be taking while on Baraclude?
Yes, you may need to take tests such as liver tests and virus levels.
What are signs of liver problems?
If you notice any of the following, you should contact your doctor immediately;
- swelling around your midsection,
- nausea,
- stomach pain,
- loss of appetite,
- dark urine, clay-colored stools, or
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
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