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.

Encure 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 Encure 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 Encure Tablet

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

Benefits of Encure Tablet

In Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

In patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, Encure 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 Encure 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 Encure

Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
Stomach pain
Diarrhea

How to use Encure 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. Encure Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.

How Encure Tablet works

Encure 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 Encure Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Encure 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

Encure 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

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

Kidney

CAUTION

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

Liver

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

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

What if you forget to take Encure Tablet?

If you miss a dose of Encure 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.

Encure Tablet

₹78.3/Tablet

Entavir 0.5mg Tablet

Cipla Ltd

₹63.3/tablet

19% cheaper

Entehep 0.5 Tablet

Zydus Cadila

₹70.97/tablet

9% cheaper

X Vir 0.5mg Tablet

Natco Pharma Ltd

₹68.37/tablet

13% cheaper

Frithvir 0.5mg Tablet

La Renon Healthcare Pvt Ltd

₹74.3/tablet

5% cheaper

Anticanol 0.5 Tablet

Knoll Pharmaceuticals Ltd

₹79.2/tablet

1% costlier

View all substitutes

Quick tips

You have been prescribed Encure 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.
Encure 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)

Interaction with drugs

Taking Encure with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects

Ciclosporin (Oral Route) Moderate

Ciclosporin may raise blood levels of Entecavir. If concurrent use is essential, your doctor may monitor your kidney's functioning closely.

Ciclosporin (Injection Route) Moderate

Ciclosporin may raise blood levels of Entecavir. If concurrent use is essential, your doctor may monitor your kidney's functioning closely.

Tacrolimus (Oral Route) Moderate

Tacrolimus may raise blood levels of Entecavir. If concurrent use is essential, your doctor may monitor your kidney's functioning closely.

View all drug interactions

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

Patients taking Encure Tablet

Once A Day

88%

Thrice A Day

12%

What are you using Encure Tablet for?

Chronic hepat*

67%

HIV infection

25%

Others

*Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

How much was the improvement?

Excellent

80%

Poor

20%

What were the side-effects while using Encure Tablet?

Nausea

67%

No Side Effec*

33%

*No Side Effect

How do you take Encure Tablet?

Empty stomach

100%

Please rate Encure Tablet on price

Not Expensive

47%

Average

40%

Expensive

13%

FAQs

How should Encure Tablet be taken?

You should take Encure 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.

Can Encure Tablet cause liver problems?

Yes, Encure 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.

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 Encure Tablet for a long time. Immediately contact your doctor if you experience any such symptoms.

What is drug resistance? Can I develop drug resistance with Encure 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 Encure Tablet is more likely to happen if you take less dose than what is recommended.

How long should I take Encure 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.

What if HIV infection co-exists with HBV infection? Will this affect treatment with Encure Tablet?

The use of Encure 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 Encure 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 Encure Tablet.

Can Encure Tablet cure hepatitis B?

No, Encure 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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Related lab tests

Hepatitis B (Core) IgM Antibody

Hepatitis B s (Surface) Antigen

Hepatitis C Virus Total Antibody

Top Physicians

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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:

Marketer details

Name: Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Address: 255/2, Hinjawadi, Pune - 411057, India

Country of origin: India

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