Entecavir is an antiviral medicine used in the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It works by inhibiting the replication of the virus, thereby reducing its levels in the body. By suppressing viral replication, it helps to slow down the progression of liver damage.

Encarvir 0.5mg 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 Encarvir 0.5mg 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.

Uses of Encarvir Tablet

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

Benefits of Encarvir Tablet

In Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

In patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet works by preventing the HBV virus from multiplying in the body. It helps control the infection and makes the immune system work better. This lowers the chances of getting complications and improves the quality of life.

This medicine is always taken in combination with other antiretroviral medicines. It is not a cure and should neither be used to prevent HBV infection. It is important that you take this medicine as prescribed, following the dosage recommended by your doctor. Taking all doses in the right amount at the right times greatly increases the effectiveness of the medicine.

Side effects of Encarvir Tablet

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 Encarvir

Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
Stomach pain
Diarrhea

How to use Encarvir Tablet

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. Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.

How Encarvir Tablet works

Encarvir 0.5mg 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.

Safety advice

Alcohol

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Encarvir 0.5mg 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.

Breast feeding

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving

UNSAFE

Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney

CAUTION

Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet is recommended.

What if you forget to take Encarvir Tablet?

If you miss a dose of Encarvir 0.5mg 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.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet

₹72.7/Tablet

Entavir 0.5mg Tablet

Cipla Ltd

₹60.1/tablet

17% cheaper

Entehep 0.5 Tablet

Zydus Cadila

₹64.67/tablet

11% cheaper

X Vir 0.5mg Tablet

Natco Pharma Ltd

₹65.03/tablet

11% cheaper

Austavir 0.5 Tablet

Care Formulation Labs Pvt Ltd

₹73.7/tablet

1% costlier

Entelet 0.5mg Tablet

Ikon Remedies Pvt Ltd

₹84.2/tablet

16% costlier

View all substitutes

Quick tips

You have been prescribed Encarvir 0.5mg 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.
Encarvir 0.5mg 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.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Nucleoside analog

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

ANTI INFECTIVES

Action Class

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Patient concerns

I'm suffering from hepatitis b virus. I want to ask what precautions should i take with my diet so that virus doesn't damage my liver

Dr. Sunil Sekhri

Diabetology

first i would like to see your Hepatitis Profile test reports

I am infected for hepatitis b virus. I am toke allopathy treatment. But I want take now ayurvedic treatment.please help me.

Dr. Aanchal Maheshwari

Ayurveda

Your case has to be seen in person before starting the treatment.

User feedback

What are you using Encarvir Tablet for?

Chronic hepat*

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*Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

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FAQs

Q. How should Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet be taken?

You should take Encarvir 0.5mg 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 Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet cause liver problems?

Yes, Encarvir 0.5mg 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 Encarvir 0.5mg 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 Encarvir 0.5mg 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 Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet is more likely to happen if you take less dose than what is recommended.

Q. How long should I take Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet?

Do not stop taking entecavir without consulting your doctor. Stopping entecavir before treatment may worsen your hepatitis. This can happen during the first several months after you stop taking entecavir. Take the medicine strictly as advised and do not miss any dose.

Q. What if HIV infection co-exists with HBV infection? Will this affect treatment with Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet?

The use of Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet is not recommended in HBV patients who are also diagnosed with HIV, until and unless these patients start taking medicines for HIV management. Starting Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet in such patients may cause resistance to the prescribed HIV medicines. Therefore, doctors recommend tests for HIV in patients diagnosed with HBV infection before starting treatment with Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet.

Q. Can Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet cure hepatitis B?

No, Encarvir 0.5mg Tablet does not cure hepatitis B but may improve the condition of the liver. The medicine may help decrease the amount of hepatitis B virus (HBV) present in the body. This is done by limiting the ability of HBV to multiply and further infect new liver cells.

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Disclaimer:

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

Acosta EP, Flexner C. Antiviral Agents (Nonretroviral). In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1616-617.
Safrin S. Antiviral Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 869.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 474-75.
Entecavir. Uxbridge, Middlesex: Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals limited; 2006 [revised 1 Feb. 2019] (online) Available from:
Entecavir. Princeton, New Jersey: Bristol-Myers Squibb; 2005 [revised Oct. 2012]. [Accessed 31 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 31 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
CiplaMed. Entecavir [Prescribing Information]. [Last Revised: 10/03/2021]. [Accessed 22 Jun. 2023] (online) Available from:
Entecavir [Prescribing Information]. Waterford, Ireland: EirGen Pharma Ltd.; 2017. [Accessed 22 Jun. 2023] (online) Available from:

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Country of origin: India

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