Label: information for the user
Baraclude 0.5 mg film-coated tablets
Entecavir
Read this label carefully before starting to take this medicine, as it contains important information for you.
Baraclude tablets are an antiviral medication used to treat chronic (long-term) infection by the hepatitis B virus (VHB) in adults.Baraclude can be used in patients whose liver is damaged but still functioning properly (compensated liver disease) and in patients whose liver is damaged and not functioning properly (decompensated liver disease).
Baraclude tablets are also used to treat chronic (long-term) infection by the VHB in children and adolescents from 2 years to less than 18 years.Baraclude can be used in children whose liver is damaged but still functioning properly (compensated liver disease).
The hepatitis B virus infection can damage the liver. Baraclude reduces the amount of virus in the body and improves the liver's condition.
Do not take Baraclude
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Baraclude
Children and adolescents
Baraclude should not be used in children under 2years of age or weighing less than 10kg.
Taking Baraclude with other medicines
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medicine.
Taking Baraclude with food and drinks
In most cases, you can take Baraclude with or without food. However, if you have received previous treatment with another medicine containing lamivudine as the active ingredient, consider the following. If you have switched to Baraclude because lamivudine treatment was unsuccessful, take Baraclude on an empty stomach, once a day. If your liver disease is advanced, your doctor will also instruct you on taking Baraclude on an empty stomach. Empty stomach means at least 2hours after and 2hours before the next meal.
Children and adolescents (from2years to less than 18years of age) can take Baraclude with or without food.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Baraclude has not been shown to be safe during pregnancy. Do not use Baraclude during pregnancy except when clearly necessary, according to your doctor. It is essential that women of childbearing age who are being treated with Baraclude use an effective contraceptive method to avoid becoming pregnant.
Do not breastfeed during treatment with Baraclude. If you are doing so, inform your doctor. The active ingredient of Baraclude, entecavir, is unknown to be excreted in breast milk.
Driving and operating machinery
Dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness are common side effects that may impair your ability to drive and operate machinery. If you have any doubts, consult your doctor.
Baraclude contains lactose
This medicine contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medicine.
Not all patients need to take the same dose of Baraclude.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication indicated by your doctor. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
For adultsthe recommended dose is 0.5mg or 1mg once a day (oral administration).
Your dose will depend on:
For children and adolescents(from2years of age to less than 18years of age), your pediatrician will decide on the appropriate dose based on the child's body weight. Baraclude oral solution is recommended for patients with a weight between 10kg and 32.5kg. Children weighing at least 32.6 kg can take the oral solution or 0.5mg tablets. There are no recommendations for Baraclude in children under 2years of age or weighing less than 10kg.
Your doctor will advise you on what dose is correct for you. Always take the dose recommended by your doctor to ensure the medication is fully effective and to reduce the development of treatment resistance. Take Baraclude for the entire time your doctor has indicated. Your doctor will tell you when to stop treatment.
Some patients must take Baraclude on an empty stomach (seeBaraclude with food and drinksin theSection2). If your doctor tells you to take Baraclude on an empty stomach, empty stomach means at least 2hours after a meal and 2hours before the next meal.
If you take more Baraclude than you should
Get in touch with your doctor immediately.
If you forget to take Baraclude
It is essential not to forget any dose. If you forget a dose of Baraclude, take it as soon as you remember and then take the next scheduled dose at the usual time. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed doses.
Do not stop treatment with Baraclude without consulting your doctor
Some people develop severe hepatitis symptoms when stopping Baraclude. Inform your doctor immediately of any changes in symptoms you observe after stopping treatment.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medications, this medication may produce adverse effects, although not all people will experience them.
Patients treated with Baraclude have reported the following adverse effects:
Adults
Children and Adolescents
The adverse effects experienced by children and adolescents are similar to those experienced by adults as described earlier, with the following exception:
Very frequent (in at least 1 in 10 patients): low levels of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that is important in fighting infection).
If you experience adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this prospectus.
Reporting Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the national notification system included in theAppendix V. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information about the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Blister: do not store at a temperature above 30°C. Store in the original packaging.
Bottle: do not store at a temperature above 25°C. Keep the bottle perfectly closed.
Medicines should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications that you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Baraclude
Tablet core: crospovidone, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and povidone.
Film coating: hypromellose, macrogol 400, titanium dioxide (E171), and polysorbate 80 (E433).
Appearance of the product and contents of the packaging
The film-coated tablets (tablets) are white to off-white and have a triangular shape. They are marked with “BMS” on one side and with “1611” on the other side. Baraclude 0.5mg tablets are supplied in boxes containing 30 x 1 or 90 x 1 film-coated tablets (in single-dose blisters) and in bottles containing 30 film-coated tablets.
Only some package sizes may be marketed in your country.
Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer
Marketing authorization holder:
Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG
Plaza 254
Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2
Dublin 15, D15 T867
Ireland
Manufacturer:
Swords Laboratories Unlimited CompanyT/A Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Operations, External Manufacturing
Plaza 254
Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2
Dublin 15, D15 T867
Ireland
Last review date of this leaflet:
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: http://www.ema.europa.eu/.
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.