Entecavir Tablets for HIV and Hep-B treatment

Entecavir is an antiviral medication that is used in the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Entecavir is a deoxyguanosine analogue or generally known as nucleoside analogue. Entecavir Works by blocking transcription, reverse transcription, and viral DNA replication.

Entecavir is used when the viral multiplication rate is very high in case of hepatitis B. It is also used to avoid reinfection after liver transplantation. This medication is generally not recommended in the case of HIV-HBV infection. However, this medication is weekly effective against HIV.

Entecavir was approved for medical use in 2005. In the United State as of  2015, it was not available in its generic form. It is also one of the safest and most effective medicines for the health system. It is also in the World health organization's list of essential medicines.

Entecavir is consumed either in the form of a tablet or oral solution. The dosage of entecavir depends on a person's body weight. The strength is mentioned below:

• Tablet: 0.5 mg and 1 mg
• Oral solution: 0.05 mg per ml

Entecavir tablets is generally consumed without food at the same time of a day. The oral solution is generally recommended to children. Entecavir should not be given to children below 2 years of age. However, the strength and dosage of entecavir can be adjusted by monitoring kidney health.
The tablet of entecavir is of two different concentrations that are 0.5 mg and 1 mg, both of these concentrations contain active ingredients as entecavir monohydrate. Entecavir 0.5 mg is recommended to adults and adolescents above 16 years of age and having compensated liver disease. Entecavir 1 mg is given to the adult who has decompensated liver disease. Generally, the dose of entecavir 0.5 mg is taken for one year

Some common side effects of entecavir tablets are:

• Dizziness
• Nausea 
• Fatigue 
• Headache
• High blood sugar
• Decreased kidney function

Severe old rare adverse reactions of entecavir tablets are:

• Hair loss 
• Rash 
• Several allergic reactions
• Enlargement of liver 
• Liver inflammation

There are certain warnings and precautions that should be kept in mind before taking entecavir tablets. These are as follows:

• This medication is not recommended to HIV infected persons if he's going through HAART.
• If symptoms of lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly is found the treatment should immediately be suspended.
• The course of entecavir medication should not be suspended without a prior doctor's confirmation.

Entecavir is safe during pregnancy, it does not cause any birth defects.

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