Entecavir Viatris (Entecavir (As Monohydrate))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Entecavir Viatris Used For?
Entecavir Viatris is an antiviral medication specifically designed to treat hepatitis B virus infection in adults.
Primary Uses
Entecavir Viatris is used to treat adults infected with hepatitis B virus. Infection by hepatitis B virus can lead to damage to the liver.
How It Works
Entecavir Viatris reduces the amount of virus in your body and has been shown to improve the condition of the liver. It helps prevent hepatitis B virus from further damaging your liver and can improve inflammation and scar tissue caused by the virus. It may reduce the chance of developing cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
Good to know: Entecavir Viatris is not addictive.
How to Take Entecavir Viatris
Take Entecavir Viatris exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It’s important to take it consistently and not miss doses.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is 0.5 mg or 1 mg once a day on an empty stomach. Empty stomach means at least 2 hours before food or 2 hours after food. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may need to adjust how often you take your tablets.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally. If you’re not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- diarrhoea
- indigestion
- tiredness
- headache
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- skin and whites of eyes turn yellow (jaundice)
- dark urine
- light-colored bowel movements
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- lower stomach pain
- lactic acidosis symptoms (feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, feeling cold especially in arms and legs, feeling dizzy or light-headed, fast or irregular heartbeat)
- serious liver problems
- allergic reaction symptoms (chills, fever, fast heartbeat, wheezing or coughing, difficulty breathing, dizziness, flushing, sweating and swelling of face, tongue or other body parts)
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Entecavir Viatris. Discuss your medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Entecavir Viatris
Do not take if you have an allergy to entecavir monohydrate or any ingredients in the medicine. Do not take if the expiry date has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes; kidney problems; HIV infection (especially if not currently on HIV treatment); or if you are lactose intolerant as this medicine contains lactose.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Experience is limited in pregnant women, so it should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly needed. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately. Mothers should stop breastfeeding if taking Entecavir Viatris as it’s unknown if the medicine passes into breast milk.
Critical Warning: Do not stop taking Entecavir Viatris suddenly without discussing with your doctor. If stopped suddenly, hepatitis B virus can become very active again and lead to sudden severe liver failure, which can be life-threatening.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, including prescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements bought without a prescription.
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Entecavir Viatris
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities requiring alertness until you know how Entecavir Viatris affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Entecavir Viatris affects you. The medicine may cause dizziness in some people. If you experience dizziness, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous. If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly.
Storage
Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Entecavir Viatris, urgent medical attention may be needed. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Entecavir Viatris reduces the amount of virus in your body and has been shown to improve liver condition, but the source doesn’t specify exact timeframes. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular appointments and blood tests.
No, you must take Entecavir Viatris on an empty stomach. This means at least 2 hours before food or 2 hours after food.
No, Entecavir Viatris is not addictive.
Never stop taking Entecavir Viatris suddenly without discussing with your doctor. If stopped suddenly, the hepatitis B virus can become very active again and lead to sudden severe liver failure, which can be life-threatening and may require liver transplantation.
No, there is no evidence that Entecavir Viatris reduces the risk of infecting others with hepatitis B through sexual contact or body fluids. You must still take appropriate precautions like safe sexual practices, never sharing needles, and not sharing personal items that can have blood or bodily fluids on them.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Continue taking Entecavir Viatris for as long as your doctor tells you to. This medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it. It’s important to keep taking it even if you feel well, as it’s preventing the hepatitis B virus from further damaging your liver.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.