Heptavir 150mg Tablet is used in the treatment of HIV infection and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.

Heptavir 150mg Tablet is not a cure for HIV or AIDS and only helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body. This helps to lower your risk of getting HIV-related complications and improves your lifespan. It is prescribed in combination with other HIV medicines. Your doctor will recommend the best medicines for you and will decide the doses that you need. Follow carefully the instructions for all the medicines that you are given. It can be taken with or without food. Taking all these medicines regularly at the right times greatly increases their effectiveness and reduces the chances of HIV becoming resistant to them. It is important not to miss doses and to keep taking them until your doctor tells you it is safe to stop.

Common side effects of this medicine include headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and rash. These are usually not serious but tell your doctor if they bother you or do not go away. Rarely, some people may experience a skin reaction or liver damage. Your doctor will closely monitor you for these in the initial period of treatment.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have any skin problems or liver or kidney disease. While using it, you may need regular blood tests to check your blood counts and liver function. Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of liver damage. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using this medicine. Do not have unprotected sex or share personal items like razors or toothbrushes, if you are HIV positive. Talk to your doctor about safe ways like condoms to prevent HIV transmission during sex.

Uses of Heptavir Tablet

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

Benefits of Heptavir Tablet

In Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

In patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, Heptavir 150mg Tablet works by preventing the HBV virus from multiplying in the body. It helps control the infection and makes the immune system work better. This lowers the chances of getting complications and improves the quality of life. This medicine is always taken in combination with other antiretroviral medicines. It is not a cure and should neither be used to prevent HBV infection. It is important that you take this medicine as prescribed, following the dosage recommended by your doctor. Taking all doses in the right amount at the right times greatly increases the effectiveness of the medicine.

Side effects of Heptavir Tablet

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Heptavir

Headache
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Fatigue
Stomach pain
Rash

How to use Heptavir Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Heptavir 150mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Heptavir Tablet works

Heptavir 150mg Tablet is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.

Safety advice

Alcohol

CAUTION

Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Heptavir 150mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Heptavir 150mg Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Heptavir 150mg Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

Driving

SAFE

Heptavir 150mg Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney

CAUTION

Heptavir 150mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Heptavir 150mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Heptavir 150mg Tablet is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of Heptavir 150mg Tablet is recommended.

What if you forget to take Heptavir Tablet?

If you miss a dose of Heptavir 150mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Heptavir 150mg Tablet

₹8.82/Tablet

Lamivir 150 Tablet

Cipla Ltd

₹11.9/tablet

35% costlier

Retrolam 150mg Tablet

Alkem Laboratories Ltd

₹8.9/tablet

1% costlier

Lamimat 150mg Tablet

Mylan Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd - A Viatris Company

₹9.7/tablet

10% costlier

Lamihope 150mg Tablet

Macleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd

₹8.7/tablet

1% cheaper

Hivir 150mg Tablet

Sain Medicaments Pvt Ltd

₹11.3/tablet

28% costlier

Quick tips

You have been prescribed Heptavir 150mg Tablet for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
In combination with other medicines, it is used for the treatment of HIV infections.
Take it with food, as this increases the absorption of the medicine into the body.
Heptavir 150mg Tablet may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
You may still develop infections or other illnesses associated with viral infection while taking this medication.
You can also pass on HIV or HBV to others. Don't share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
During treatment and for at least six months after stopping this medicine, regular blood tests are needed to monitor your liver function, level of hepatitis B virus and blood cells in your blood.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Nucleoside analog

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

ANTI INFECTIVES

Action Class

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Interaction with drugs

Taking Heptavir with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects

Zidovudine (Injection Route) Moderate

Concurrent use may increase the risk of low blood cell counts. If concurrent use is essential, watch out for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fatigue or trou... More

Co-trimoxazole (Oral Route) Moderate

Co-trimoxazole may slow down the removal of Lamivudine from the body. Your doctor may monitor your treatment for toxicity of medicines and adjust the doses as per the observations... More

Ganciclovir (Injection Route) Moderate

Ganciclovir may reduce blood levels of active form of Lamivudine. Do not consume Lamivudine with Ganciclovir. If concurrent use is essential, please consult your doctor.

Ganciclovir (Oral Route) Moderate

Ganciclovir may reduce blood levels of active form of Lamivudine. Do not consume Lamivudine with Ganciclovir. If concurrent use is essential, please consult your doctor.

Interferon Alpha 2A (Injection Route) Moderate

Concurrent use may cause liver dysfunction and lactic acid buildup in the blood. Your doctor may monitor your treatment and adjust the doses as per the observations.

View all drug interactions

Patient concerns

I'm suffering from hepatitis b virus. I want to ask what precautions should i take with my diet so that virus doesn't damage my liver

Dr. Sunil Sekhri

Diabetology

first i would like to see your Hepatitis Profile test reports

I am infected for hepatitis b virus. I am toke allopathy treatment. But I want take now ayurvedic treatment.please help me.

Dr. Aanchal Maheshwari

Ayurveda

Your case has to be seen in person before starting the treatment.

User feedback

What are you using Heptavir Tablet for?

Chronic hepat*

100%

*Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

How much was the improvement?

Poor

67%

Average

33%

FAQs

How should I take Heptavir 150mg Tablet?

Heptavir 150mg Tablet should be taken in the dose and duration advised by the doctor. This medicine can be taken with or without food. However, it is better to take it at a fixed time of the day to avoid the chances of missing a dose.

Is Heptavir 150mg Tablet effective?

Heptavir 150mg Tablet is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop using Heptavir 150mg Tablet too early, the symptoms may return or worsen.

What is drug resistance? Can I develop drug resistance with Heptavir 150mg Tablet?

Drug resistance is a state where the medicine which was once effective in treating an infection becomes ineffective. This mainly happens due to the ability acquired by the virus or bacteria to get modified inside the body which affects the overall working of the medicine. Hence, the medicine is no longer able to fight against the virus or bacteria. Generally, drug resistance with Heptavir 150mg Tablet is more likely to happen if you take less dose than what is recommended.

How long should I take Heptavir 150mg Tablet?

Do not stop taking entecavir without consulting your doctor. Stopping entecavir before treatment may worsen your hepatitis. This can happen during the first several months after you stop taking entecavir. Take the medicine strictly as advised and do not miss any dose.

What if I forget to take a dose of Heptavir 150mg Tablet?

If you forget a dose of Heptavir 150mg Tablet, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose in the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.

What if HIV infection co-exists with HBV infection? Will this affect treatment with Heptavir 150mg Tablet?

In HBV patients who are diagnosed with HIV, Heptavir 150mg Tablet is not recommended until and unless these patients start taking medicines for HIV management. Starting Heptavir 150mg Tablet in such patients may cause resistance to the prescribed HIV medicines. Therefore, doctors recommend tests for HIV in patients diagnosed with HBV infection before starting treatment with Heptavir 150mg Tablet.

Can Heptavir 150mg Tablet cure hepatitis B?

No, Heptavir 150mg Tablet does not cure hepatitis B but may improve the condition of the liver. It may decrease the amount of hepatitis B virus (HBV) present in the body. This is done by limiting the ability of HBV to multiply and further infect new liver cells.

Is Heptavir 150mg Tablet safe?

Heptavir 150mg Tablet is safe if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Take it exactly as directed and do not skip any dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and let your doctor know if any of the side effects bother you.

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Related lab tests

Hepatitis B (Core) IgM Antibody

Hepatitis B s (Surface) Antigen

Hepatitis C Virus Total Antibody

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Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

Acosta EP, Flexner C. Antiviral Agents (Nonretroviral). In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1617-618.
Safrin S. Antiviral Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 858, 869-70.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 767-70.
Lamivudine. South Ruislip, Middlesex: Aurobindo Pharma - Milpharm Ltd.; 2012 [revised 24 Jun. 2018]. (online) Available from:
Drugs.com. Lamivudine. [Accessed 31 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 31 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Marketer details

Name: Hetero Drugs Ltd

Address: 7-2-A2, Hetero Corporate, Industrial Estates, Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad – 500 018. Telangana, INDIA

Country of origin: India

The list of available options shown with the same composition has been prepared upon the advice of registered medical practitioners, pharmacists affiliated with TATA 1MG. TATA 1MG does not promote any pharmaceutical product of any particular company, and all recommendations are based on the medical opinion, advisories from specialist medical and pharmaceutical professionals.