Entecavir
Entecavir is an antiviral tablet for chronic hepatitis B, sold here as 0.5mg Baraclude tablets that hold the virus down day by day.
Entecavir is an antiviral taken by mouth for chronic hepatitis B, the long-running form of the infection that can inflame the liver over years. It is not a cure and it is not a short course: the aim is to keep the virus at low levels while the liver settles.
What entecavir is used for
Entecavir treats chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults. Active infection is what brings it into use: a high HBV DNA count in the blood, raised ALT (a liver enzyme that leaks out when liver cells are inflamed) and inflammation or scarring in liver tissue. It is used both in people whose liver is still working normally and in those with more advanced liver damage.
How it works against hepatitis B
Entecavir belongs to the nucleoside analogue group. It is shaped enough like one of the building blocks of DNA that the virus's polymerase — the enzyme HBV uses to copy itself — picks it up and then stalls. With copying blocked, the virus cannot multiply, and the amount in the blood falls. Liver inflammation usually eases as a result. The virus is not cleared from the body, so treatment continues and blood tests show how well it is being held down.
Taking entecavir
One tablet a day, at a regular time. Take it on an empty stomach — at least two hours before or two hours after food — because eating reduces how much of the dose reaches the bloodstream. A glass of water is all you need with it. Keep the tablets in their foil and box, somewhere cool and dry.
Side effects worth knowing
Headache, tiredness, dizziness, nausea and diarrhoea are the ones reported most, and they often settle after the first few weeks. Serious reactions are uncommon. A build-up of acid in the blood, called lactic acidosis, can cause unusual muscle pain, fast or deep breathing, cold arms and legs, or stomach pain with vomiting, and it needs urgent treatment. Liver inflammation can also flare during treatment or after it stops: yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools and easy bruising are the signs to know.
Entecavir tablets: what is available
Entecavir was first marketed as Baraclude, and the tablets here are 0.5mg film-coated, taken once a day. 0.5mg is the only strength stocked. It sits with the other viral treatments in our antivirals range.
Sources
- Entecavir: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Entecavir 0.5 mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) — UK Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC)
Can I order Entecavir online in Hong Kong?
Entecavir can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range here is generic Baraclude tablets in 0.5mg. Tracked courier delivery to Hong Kong takes 5 to 9 business days and comes with online tracking.
How much does Entecavir cost?
The price depends on the strength and pack size you choose. The Baraclude page shows current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Entecavir?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order entecavir. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the other names for entecavir?
Baraclude is a brand name of entecavir, which is also sold as Entavir. Here, entecavir can be bought online as generic Baraclude. These are generics, not the original brand.
Is Baraclude the same as entecavir?
Baraclude is the brand name entecavir was first sold under; entecavir is the active ingredient. Tablets sold under either name contain the same medicine at the same strength; only the name differs.
How long do you take entecavir for?
Months or years for most people, rather than a fixed few weeks. Entecavir suppresses the virus but does not clear it from the body, and once it is stopped the virus can build up again and liver inflammation can return.
Can entecavir cure hepatitis B?
No. It holds the virus at low levels but does not remove it from the liver cells, so the infection stays and treatment is usually long term. Blood tests check the virus count and liver enzymes to show how well it is working.
Can I drink alcohol with entecavir?
Entecavir and alcohol do not interact directly. Alcohol is processed by the liver, though, and a liver already coping with hepatitis B has less spare capacity for it, so heavy drinking works against the reason for treatment.
What if I miss a dose of entecavir?
If you remember on the same day, take the tablet then and go back to your usual time the next day. If the next dose is close, take just that one — do not take two tablets to catch up.