Barcavir
Generic Name
Barcavir 0.5 mg Tablet
Manufacturer
MediCare Pharma Ltd.
Country
Bangladesh
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Price Details
Current market pricing information
| Variant | Unit Price | Strip Price |
|---|---|---|
| barcavir 05 mg tablet | ৳ 48.00 | ৳ 480.00 |
Description
Overview of the medicine
Barcavir 0.5 mg Tablet is an antiviral medication used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults and pediatric patients. It works by preventing the hepatitis B virus from multiplying in the body, thereby reducing the viral load and improving liver function.
Uses & Indications
Dosage
Adults
0.5 mg once daily, with or without food. In nucleoside-naive patients with compensated liver disease. For lamivudine-refractory patients or those with decompensated liver disease, higher doses (e.g., 1 mg once daily) may be considered by a specialist.
Elderly
No specific dose adjustment is required based on age alone. Dose adjustments may be necessary based on renal function.
Renal_impairment
For creatinine clearance (CrCl) 30-50 mL/min, 0.5 mg every 48 hours. For CrCl <30 mL/min (including hemodialysis/CAPD), 0.5 mg every 72 hours, or adjusted based on clinical response and monitoring.
How to Take
Take Barcavir 0.5 mg Tablet orally once daily with a glass of water, with or without food. For patients with decompensated liver disease or previous lamivudine resistance, it may be recommended to take on an empty stomach (at least 2 hours after a meal and 2 hours before the next meal) for optimal absorption, as advised by your doctor.
Mechanism of Action
Barcavir is a nucleoside analogue that is phosphorylated to its active triphosphate form. Barcavir triphosphate competes with the natural substrate deoxyguanosine triphosphate for incorporation into the viral DNA, effectively inhibiting the HBV reverse transcriptase enzyme. This leads to termination of DNA chain synthesis, thereby blocking HBV replication.
Pharmacokinetics
Onset
Reduction in viral load typically observed within 2-4 weeks of initiation.
Excretion
Primarily excreted renally, with approximately 60-70% of the dose recovered in urine as unchanged drug.
Half life
Approximately 18-24 hours (intracellular half-life of triphosphate is ~15 hours).
Absorption
Rapidly absorbed after oral administration; peak plasma concentrations achieved within 0.5-1.5 hours. Bioavailability is approximately 70% to 80%.
Metabolism
Minimal hepatic metabolism; primarily eliminated unchanged.
Side Effects
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to Barcavir or any components of the tablet.
- Not recommended for HIV/HBV co-infected patients unless also receiving effective HIV therapy due to risk of resistance.
Drug Interactions
Nephrotoxic agents
Coadministration with nephrotoxic agents (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, aminoglycosides) may increase plasma concentrations of Barcavir or worsen renal impairment. Monitor renal function closely.
Lamivudine, Adefovir
Avoid coadministration as Barcavir is more potent; no additional benefit and potential for increased side effects or resistance in certain contexts.
Ritonavir-boosted lopinavir
May increase Barcavir exposure, consider monitoring.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose
Limited experience with overdose of Barcavir. In studies, subjects receiving up to 20 mg/day for up to 28 days had no unexpected adverse events. If overdose occurs, patients should be monitored for signs of toxicity, and standard supportive therapy should be initiated as required. Hemodialysis removes Barcavir effectively (approximately 13% of the dose removed over a 4-hour hemodialysis session).
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category C. Barcavir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known whether Barcavir is excreted in human milk. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Side Effects
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to Barcavir or any components of the tablet.
- Not recommended for HIV/HBV co-infected patients unless also receiving effective HIV therapy due to risk of resistance.
Drug Interactions
Nephrotoxic agents
Coadministration with nephrotoxic agents (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, aminoglycosides) may increase plasma concentrations of Barcavir or worsen renal impairment. Monitor renal function closely.
Lamivudine, Adefovir
Avoid coadministration as Barcavir is more potent; no additional benefit and potential for increased side effects or resistance in certain contexts.
Ritonavir-boosted lopinavir
May increase Barcavir exposure, consider monitoring.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose
Limited experience with overdose of Barcavir. In studies, subjects receiving up to 20 mg/day for up to 28 days had no unexpected adverse events. If overdose occurs, patients should be monitored for signs of toxicity, and standard supportive therapy should be initiated as required. Hemodialysis removes Barcavir effectively (approximately 13% of the dose removed over a 4-hour hemodialysis session).
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category C. Barcavir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known whether Barcavir is excreted in human milk. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this medicine
Pack Sizes
Shelf Life
24 months from manufacturing date.
Availability
Available in pharmacies nationwide
Approval Status
Approved by DGDA, Bangladesh
Patent Status
Patent Pending
Clinical Trials
Barcavir has undergone extensive Phase III clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy and safety in chronic HBV infection, including studies involving nucleoside-naive and lamivudine-refractory patients.
Lab Monitoring
- Liver function tests (ALT, AST, bilirubin, albumin, INR) at baseline and periodically during treatment.
- Renal function tests (creatinine, eGFR) at baseline and periodically, especially in patients with pre-existing renal impairment or those on nephrotoxic drugs.
- HBV DNA levels periodically to monitor treatment response.
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) for seroconversion.
Doctor Notes
- Emphasize strict adherence to therapy to prevent resistance and treatment failure.
- Monitor renal function, LFTs, and HBV DNA levels regularly.
- Counsel patients on the risk of HBV exacerbation upon discontinuation.
- Consider resistance testing in patients with suboptimal viral response.
Patient Guidelines
- Take Barcavir exactly as prescribed by your doctor; do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor.
- Regularly monitor for any new or worsening symptoms and report them to your healthcare provider.
- Attend all scheduled appointments for blood tests and doctor visits to monitor your condition and treatment effectiveness.
- Barcavir does not prevent the spread of HBV to others; use barrier methods to prevent sexual transmission.
Missed Dose Advice
If a dose of Barcavir is missed, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Driving Precautions
Barcavir may cause dizziness or fatigue in some patients. If you experience these symptoms, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
Lifestyle Advice
- Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, including regular exercise.
- Avoid or limit alcohol consumption as it can further stress the liver.
- Discuss vaccination against other hepatitis viruses (e.g., Hepatitis A) with your doctor if not already vaccinated.
- Avoid sharing personal items that might transmit blood (e.g., razors, toothbrushes).
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