Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Entecavir Zentiva 0.5 mg Film-Coated Tablets
Entecavir
Read this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
1. What is Entecavir Zentiva and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before taking Entecavir Zentiva
3. How to take Entecavir Zentiva
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Entecavir Zentiva
6. Contents of the pack and additional information
Entecavir is an antiviral medication used to treat chronic (long-term) infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in adults.
Entecavir may 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).
Entecavir is also used to treat chronic (long-term) HBV infection in children and adolescents from 2 years to less than 18 years.
Entecavir may be used in children whose liver is damaged but still functioning properly (compensated liver disease).
Hepatitis B virus infection can damage the liver. Entecavir reduces the amount of virus in the body and improves liver condition.
Do not take Entecavir Zentiva
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take entecavir
Children and adolescents
Entecavir should not be used in children under 2 years of age or weighing less than 10 kg.
Entecavir Zentiva with other medicines
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medicine.
Entecavir Zentiva with food and drinks
In most cases, you can take entecavir 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 entecavir because lamivudine treatment was unsuccessful, take entecavir on an empty stomach, once a day. If your liver disease is advanced, your doctor will also instruct you on taking entecavir on an empty stomach.
Empty stomach means at least 2 hours after and 2 hours before the next meal.
Children and adolescents (2 to less than 18 years of age) can take entecavir with or without
food.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Entecavir use has not been proven to be safe during pregnancy. Do not use entecavir during pregnancy except when clearly necessary, according to your doctor. It is essential that women of childbearing age who are being treated with entecavir use an effective contraceptive method to avoid becoming pregnant.
Do not breastfeed during treatment with entecavir. If you are doing so, inform your doctor. It is unknown whether entecavir, the active ingredient of this medicine, is 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.
This medicine contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with him before taking this medicine.
All patients do not need to take the same dose of Entecavir.
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 0.5 mg or 1 mg once a day (oral administration).
Your dose will depend on:
For children and adolescents(from 2 to less than 18 years of age), your pediatrician will decide on the appropriate dose based on the child's body weight. Children weighing at least 32.6 kg can take the oral solution or 0.5 mg tablets. Entecavir oral solution is recommended for patients weighing between 10 kg and 32.5 kg. All doses should be taken once a day (oral administration). There are no recommendations for entecavir in children under 2 years of age or weighing less than 10 kg.
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 entecavir for the entire time your doctor has indicated. Your doctor will tell you when to stop treatment
Some patients must take this medication on an empty stomach (see Entecavir tablets with food and drinksin theSection 2). If your doctor tells you to take this medication on an empty stomach, empty stomach means at least 2 hours after a meal and 2 hours before the next meal.
If you take more Entecavir Zentiva than you should
If you have taken more entecavir than you should, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or call the Toxicological Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount used.
If you forgot to take Entecavir Zentiva
It is essential not to forget any dose. If you forget a dose of Entecavir, 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 interrupt treatment with Entecavir Zentiva without consulting your doctor
Some people develop severe hepatitis symptoms when stopping entecavir treatment. Inform your doctor immediately of any changes in symptoms you observe after stopping treatment.
If you have any other doubts about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Likeallmedicines,thismedicinecancausesideeffects,althoughnotallpeoplewillexperiencethem.
Patientswhohavebeentreatedwithentecavirhavereportedthefollowingsideeffects:
Ifyouexperiencesideeffects,consultyourdoctororpharmacist,eveniftheyarenotlistedinthisleaflet.
Reportingofsideeffects
Ifyouexperienceanytypeofsideeffect,consultyourdoctororpharmacist,evenifitisapossiblesideeffectthatisnotlistedinthisleaflet.YoucanalsoreportthemdirectlythroughtheSpanishSystemforPharmacovigilanceofMedicinesforHumanUse:https://www.notificaram.es. Byreportingsideeffects,youcancontributetoprovidingmoreinformationaboutthesafetyofthismedicine.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the bottle, blister pack, or container after CAD.The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Bottle: after the first opening of the container, the tablets must be used before 30 days.
This medication does not require special storage conditions.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains or trash. Dispose of the containers and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy.If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the containers and medications you no longer need.By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Entecavir
The active ingredient is entecavir.
Each film-coated tablet contains 0.5 mg of entecavir monohydrate equivalent to 0.5 mg of entecavir.
The other components are:
Core of the tablet: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone (Type A), hydroxypropyl cellulose (type L) and magnesium stearate.
Coating (white): titanium dioxide (E171), lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, macrogol 4000.
Appearance of the product and contents of the package
The film-coated tablets are white to off-white in color, triangular in shape, marked with “0.5” on one side, with dimensions of 8.4 mm ± 0.2 mm and a thickness of 3.7 mm ± 0.3 mm.
Entecavir Zentiva 0.5 mg tablets are supplied in boxes containing 30, 90 film-coated tablets (in OPA/ALU/PVC-Aluminum blisters) and in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles with a polypropylene child-resistant closure and induction-sealed containing 30 film-coated tablets.
Only some package sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder and responsible manufacturer
Marketing authorization holder:
Zentiva k.s.,
U kabelovny 130,
Dolní Mecholupy,
102 37 Prague 10,
Czech Republic
Responsible manufacturer
Pharmathen International S.A.
Industrial Park Sapes,
Rodopi Prefecture, Block No 5,
Rodopi 69300, Greece
Or
Pharmathen S.A.
Dervenakion 6
Pallini 15351
Attiki, Greece
Or
Aristo Pharma GmbH
Wallenroder Str. 8-10
D-13435 Berlin
Germany
You can request more information about this medication by contacting the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:
Zentiva Spain S.L.U.
Avenida de Europa, 19, Edificio 3, Planta 1.
28224 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid
Spain
This medication is authorized in the member states of the European Economic Area with the following names:
Denmark:Entecavir Aristo 0.5 mg filmovertrukket tablet
United Kingdom:Entecavir Aristo 0.5 mg film-coated tablets
Germany:Entecavir Aristo 0.5 mg Filmtabletten
Italy:Entecavir Aristo 0.5 mg compressi rivestita con film
Spain:Entecavir Zentiva 0.5 mg comprimidos recubiertos con película EFG
Last review date of this leaflet: July 2017
Detailed and updated information about this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es/
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.