The term 'hepatitis' simply means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis may be caused by a virus or a toxin such as alcohol. Other viruses that can cause injury to liver cells include the hepatitis A and hepatitis C viruses. These viruses are not related to each other or to hepatitis B virus and differ in their structure, the ways they are spread among individuals, the severity of symptoms they can cause, the way they are treated, and the outcome of the infection.
What is the scope of the problem?
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is estimated that 350 million individuals worldwide are infected with the virus, which causes 620,000 deaths worldwide each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 46,000 new cases of hepatitis B occurred in the United States in 2006.
In the United States, rates of new infection were highest ...
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Medical Editor: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Baraclude (entecavir) is available in generic form. Baraclude is an antiviral nucleoside drug indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in adults with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent elevations in serum aminotransferases (ALT or AST) or histologically active disease. Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues alone or in combination with antiretrovirals.
Baraclude tablets are available for oral administration in strengths of 0.5 mg and 1 mg. Baraclude should be administered on an empty stomach (at least 2 hours after a meal and 2 hours before the next meal). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Baraclude in pregnant women. Baraclude should be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding only if clearly needed and after careful consideration of the risks and benefits.
Our Baraclude (entecavir) Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases and conditions articles.
What is Prescribing information?
The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.
BARACLUDE® (entecavir) is indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in adults with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent elevations in serum aminotransferases (ALT or AST) or histologically active disease.
The following points should be considered when initiating therapy with BARACLUDE (entecavir) :
Read the complete drug monograph for Baraclude »
Drug Description - Indications & Dosage - Side Effects & Drug Interactions - Warnings & Precautions - Contraindications - Medication Guide and More
What is Patient information?
Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This medication may cause lactic acidosis (a build-up of lactic acid in the body, which can be fatal). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and get worse over time. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as:
Read the complete patient information for Baraclude »
Possible Side Effects - Images - What Is - How Should I Take It - What If I Miss a Dose - What Should I Avoid and More
What is Consumer information?
A concise overview of the drug for the patient or caregiver from First DataBank.
This medication is used to treat a chronic viral infection of the liver (hepatitis B). It works by slowing the growth of the virus. Entecavir is a nucleoside analog-type (NRTI) medication.
Entecavir is not a cure for hepatitis B and does not prevent the spread of hepatitis B to others through sexual contact or blood/body fluid contamination (e.g., sharing used needles). A series of shots (vaccine) are available to protect uninfected people from hepatitis B virus.
HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provid...
Read the complete consumer information for Baraclude »
Warnings - Uses - How to Use - Side Effects - Precautions - Drug Interactions and More
Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Baraclude sorted by most helpful.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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