ALMACAVIR (ENTECAVIR) FILM COATED TABLETS 0.5MG [SIN16612P]

Product Info

ALMACAVIR (ENTECAVIR) FILM COATED TABLETS 0.5MG

[SIN16612P]

[INDICATIONS AND USAGE]

Almacavir® 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 Almacavir®:
This indication is based on histologic, virologic, biochemical, and serologic responses in nucleoside-treatment-naïve and lamivudine-resistant adult subjects with HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection with compensated liver disease.

• Virologic, biochemical, serologic, and safety data are available from a controlled study in adult subjects with chronic HBV infection and decompensated liver disease.
  Virologic, biochemical, serologic, and safety data are available for a limited number of adult subjects with HIV/HBV co-infection who have received prior lamivudine therapy.

[DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]

Recommended Dosage

Compensated Liver Disease
The recommended dose of Entecavir for chronic hepatitis B virus infection in nucleoside-treatment-naïve adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older is 0.5 mg once daily, with or without food. The recommended dose of Entecavir in adults and adolescents (≥ 16 years of age) with a history of hepatitis B viremia while receiving lamivudine or known lamivudine resistance mutations is 1 mg once daily, which must be taken on an empty stomach (at least 2 hours after a meal and 2 hours before the next meal).

Decompensated Liver Disease
The recommended dose of Entecavir for chronic hepatitis B virus infection in adults with decompensated liver disease is 1 mg once daily, which must be taken on an empty stomach (at least 2 hours after a meal and 2 hours before the next meal).

Renal Impairment
In subjects with renal impairment, the apparent oral clearance of Entecavir decreased as creatinine clearance decreased. Dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min, including patients on hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), as shown in Table 1. The once-daily dosing regimens are preferred.

Hepatic Impairment
No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with hepatic impairment.

Duration of Therapy
The optimal duration of treatment with Entecavir for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and the relationship between treatment and long-term outcomes such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are unknown.

[CONTRAINDICATIONS]

Entecavir is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated hypersensitivity to entecavir or any component of the product.