FAQs
Below are frequently asked questions about BARACLUDE® (entecavir) and hepatitis B.
BARACLUDE FAQs
BARACLUDE FAQs
Q. What is BARACLUDE?
A. BARACLUDE® (entecavir) is a prescription medicine used to treat chronic
hepatitis B virus (HBV) in adults who have active virus and liver damage.
- Currently there is no cure for HBV. BARACLUDE will not cure HBV
- BARACLUDE may:
- lower the amount of HBV in the body
- lower the ability of HBV to multiply and infect new liver cells
- improve the condition of your liver
- It is not known whether BARACLUDE will reduce the chances of getting liver cancer or liver damage (cirrhosis), which may be caused by chronic HBV infection
- It is not known if BARACLUDE is safe and effective for use in children
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Q. How does BARACLUDE work?
A. BARACLUDE works to reduce the amount of HBV in the body, which may improve the condition of your liver. BARACLUDE does not cure HBV or stop the spread of HBV to others.
It is not known whether BARACLUDE will reduce your chances of getting liver cancer or liver damage (cirrhosis), which may be caused by chronic HBV infection. Learn more
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Q. Is BARACLUDE right for me?
A. If you are an adult who has chronic hepatitis B where the virus is multiplying and damaging the liver, you may benefit from BARACLUDE. Only your doctor can decide if you need treatment for chronic hepatitis B—and if BARACLUDE is right for you. Learn more
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Q. How do I take BARACLUDE?
A. Take BARACLUDE once a day by mouth. Be sure to take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. BARACLUDE works best on an empty stomach. Take BARACLUDE at least 2 hours after a meal and at least 2 hours before your next meal. Do not stop taking BARACLUDE without first talking to your doctor. Learn more
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Q. What are the side effects of BARACLUDE?
A. BARACLUDE may cause the following serious side effects:
Lactic acidosis (buildup of acid in the blood). Some people who have taken BARACLUDE or medicines like BARACLUDE (a nucleoside analogue) have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can cause death. Lactic acidosis must be treated in the hospital. Reports of lactic acidosis with BARACLUDE generally involved patients who were seriously ill due to their liver disease or other medical condition.
Serious liver problems. Some people who have taken medicines like BARACLUDE have developed serious liver problems called hepatotoxicity, with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) and fat in the liver (steatosis). Hepatomegaly with steatosis is a serious medical emergency that can cause death.
Visit our Side Effects section to learn about these serious side effects of BARACLUDE as well as other more common side effects and important information you need to know about this medicine. Learn more
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Q. Does BARACLUDE interact with any other drugs?
A. BARACLUDE may interact with medicines that leave the body through the kidneys. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Learn more
Hepatitis B FAQs
Q. What is hepatitis B?
A. Hepatitis B is the world's most common serious liver infection. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Chronic hepatitis B infection may lead to severe liver damage in some people. Learn more
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Q. Who is at risk of hepatitis B?
A. Anyone who comes into contact with the blood or infected bodily fluids of a person infected with the hepatitis B virus is at risk. However, some people are at increased risk. These include babies born to infected mothers, people with more than one sex partner, IV drug users, and healthcare or emergency workers, among others. Learn more
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Q. Who should be screened for hepatitis B?
A. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommends that anyone who may be at high risk for hepatitis B virus infection should be tested. This includes people born in areas of the world that have increased rates of hepatitis B infection. Click here to see a complete list of countries
The AASLD screening recommendations also include men who have sex with men, anyone who has ever used needles to inject drugs, dialysis patients, people infected with HIV, pregnant women, and family members, household members, and sexual partners of those infected with HBV.
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Q. What is the difference between acute and chronic hepatitis B?
A. Acute hepatitis B occurs when a person is initially infected with the hepatitis B virus. If the virus remains in the blood for more than 6 months, then the person is diagnosed with chronic (or long-term) hepatitis B. A chronic hepatitis B infection can last a lifetime and can lead to serious liver damage over time in some people. Learn more
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Q. What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?
A. Most people do not have symptoms of hepatitis B infection. That is why it's often called a "silent disease." Some people may have flu-like symptoms. Others may have nausea and/or vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, jaundice (yellowish) eyes and skin, fatigue/weakness, or joint pain. Even if you have no symptoms, the hepatitis B virus can be damaging your liver. Learn more
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Q. How is hepatitis B diagnosed?
A. A simple blood test called the hepatitis B blood panel can tell your doctor if you have been infected with the hepatitis B virus. This blood test is made up of three tests, but you will only need to give one blood sample. Ask your doctor to explain each test result to you. If you test positive for hepatitis B, this means you may have either an acute (new) infection or a chronic (long-term) infection. Your doctor will most likely ask you to come to be tested again after 6 months. If, at that time, you still test positive for hepatitis B, you most likely have a chronic infection. Learn more
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Q. Is there a cure for chronic hepatitis B?
A. No. Right now, there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B. But there are treatments that can reduce the amount of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the body, which may improve the condition of your liver. Review treatment options
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Q. If I have chronic hepatitis B, how can I protect my family and friends from becoming infected?
A. There are many things you can do to help avoid spreading hepatitis B to others. The first and most important step is to make sure anyone living in your home goes to their doctor for hepatitis B testing and possible vaccination. You can also take steps to minimize others' contact with your blood and infected bodily fluids. Get tips for avoiding the spread of hepatitis B
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Q. If I am pregnant, can I pass hepatitis B to my child?
A. Yes. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Babies born to infected mothers should receive an injection of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) in addition to the first of 3 hepatitis B vaccine shots, preferably within 12 hours of birth. Your baby will also need to receive follow-up hepatitis B vaccine doses.
Remember, it's important to take care of yourself as well as your baby. If you have chronic hepatitis B, visit your doctor regularly to monitor your health and detect any problems early.
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Q. If I have chronic hepatitis B, should I be on medicine?
A. Your doctor will decide if you need to be on treatment based upon your health, your liver's health, and the status of the virus. Not everyone who has chronic hepatitis B needs treatment. Regular visits will help your doctor monitor your condition and make the best decision for your health. Learn more
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Q. What chronic hepatitis B treatment options are available?
A. Treatments for chronic hepatitis B work to reduce the amount of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the body, which may improve the condition of your liver. Some treatments are injected. Others, like BARACLUDE, are taken by mouth. Your doctor will decide which treatment is right for you. Review treatment options
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Q. Is there anything else I can do to stay healthy?
A. Yes, there are many steps you can take to stay healthy and help protect your liver. First, do not smoke or drink alcohol. Both can be very harmful to a liver infected with chronic hepatitis B. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and get plenty of rest. Get more diet and lifestyle tips
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