Hepatocellular Carcinoma or HCC is the commonly diagnosed form of liver cancer. It is most likely to occur in people with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis C infection.
Hepatitis C virus or HCV is a major contributing factor towards cirrhosis and advanced hepatic fibrosis and increased risk for the development of HCC. The mortality rates of HCV associated HCC remain consistently high as the rates of HCV cirrhosis also increase.
The usage of new directly acting anti-viral medications (with higher rate of virological clearance) have great potential as a cure for HCV infections. While the HCC-HCV correlation is reduced due to such medications such as Enteacavir.
The patients treated with Entecavir / Baraclude remain at risk of developing HCC, especially in case of patients with cirrhosis and advanced fibrosis.
Entecavir / Baraclude price information
Entecavir (Brand Baraclude) along with another medication Tenofovir (Brand Telura, Vired) are the most commonly prescribed anti-viral medications for the first-line treatment of Hepatitis C virus.
Entecavir and Tenofovir have similar efficacies in virologic responses and are thus equally recommended by doctors. Their association with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma is unclear.
Clinical Trial for Entecavir
A nationwide clinical study in Korea was conducted to observe the risk of developing HCC, liver-related mortalities and risk of liver transplant due to treatment with Entecavir and Tenofovir.
The study involved patients who were either being treated with Entecavir / Baraclude or Tenofovir / Viread. The timeline of the study was 2 years from 1st January, 2012 to 31st December, 2014.
The objective of this study was to learn the cumulative transplant, death and HCC rates.
Results
The groups were evenly matched in respect to the fact that mean ages of patients treated with Entecavir and Tenofovir were 48.6 years & 49.3 years. 26.1% of the patients who were being treated with Entecavir had cirrhosis. While, 27.5% of the patients who were being treated with Tenofovir had cirrhosis. The rates of viral DNA suppression and liver enzyme normalization for both Entecavir and Tenofovir were also similar.
The conclusion of the study suggests that Entecavir may be less effective decreasing the risk for HCC, or reducing the risk of needing a liver transplant and of liver-related death.
Entecavir side effects
Some side effects from taking Entecavir include:
• Pain in muscles
• Light headedness
• Difficulty in breathing
• Inconsistent heart rates
• Pain in stomach
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Numbness in limbs
Some of the more common side effects include dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea.
Entecavir Dose
Entecavir / Baraclude generally is available in the following doses:
• Enticavir Generic 0.5 mg Tablets
• Enticavir Generic 1 mg Tablets
• Brand Baraclude 0.5 mg Tablets
• Brand Baraclude 0.5 mg/ml Oral Solution
• Brand Baraclude 1mg Tablets
Entecavir cost information
The information provided on the page is meant for the purpose of being helpful and educational. It should not be considered as medical advice.
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