Baraclude

Common use

Baraclude is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in adults and children who are at least 2 years old and weigh at least 22 pounds (10 kilograms). Entecavir prevents certain virus cells from multiplying in your body.

Dosage and direction

Take Baraclude exactly as it was prescribed for you. Take Baraclude on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after eating. Entecavir doses are based on weight (especially in children and teenagers). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight. Use Baraclude regularly to get the most benefit and to keep your condition from getting worse. Call your doctor if your hepatitis symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Precautions

You may need to be tested for HIV before you start taking Baraclude. Taking medicine to treat chronic hepatitis B can cause HIV infection to become resistant to certain HIV and AIDS medications.
To make sure Baraclude is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: HIV or AIDS (or if you have been exposed to HIV); kidney disease; liver problems other than HBV; a liver transplant; or if you also take lamivudine (Epivir, Epzicom, Trizivir) or telbivudine (Tyzeka).
It is not known whether entecavir will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It may not be safe to breast-feed while using Baraclude. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Contraindications

You should not take Baraclude if you are allergic to entecavir, or if you also have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) that is not being treated.
Baraclude may also cause severe liver symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.

Possible side effect

Common Baraclude side effects may include: nausea; dizziness, tired feeling; or headache.

Drug interaction

Tell your doctor about all medicines you have used to treat hepatitis B in the past. Baraclude may not be the right medication if you have used certain other medicines for HBV.

Missed dose

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store Baraclude at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep away from children and pets.