evaluate [1%:<1%> <1% 1% 0 Nausea> <1%> <1%> <1% 2% Vomiting> <1%> <1%> <1% 0 General Fatigue 1% 1% 3% 3% Nervous System Headache 2% 2% 4% 1% Dizziness> <1%> <1% 0 1% Somnolence> <1%> <1% 0 0 Psychiatric Insomnia> <1%> <1% 0> <1% Laboratory Abnormalities Frequencies of selected treatment-emergent laboratory abnormalities reported during therapy in four clinical trials of Entecavir compared with lamivudine are listed in Table 4. Table 4: Selected Treatment-Emergent a Laboratory Abnormalities Reported in Four Entecavir Clinical Trials Through 2 Years a On-treatment value worsened from baseline to Grade 3 or Grade 4 for all parameters except albumin (any on-treatment value> <2.5 g/dL), confirmed creatinine increase ≥0.5 mg/dL, and ALT >10 x ULN and >2 x baseline. b Studies AI463022 and AI463027. c Includes Study AI463026 and the Entecavir 1 mg and lamivudine treatment arms of Study AI463014, a Phase 2 multinational, randomized, double-blind study of three doses of Entecavir (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg) once daily versus continued lamivudine 100 mg once daily for up to 52 weeks in subjects who experienced recurrent viremia on lamivudine therapy. d Includes hematology, routine chemistries, renal and liver function tests, pancreatic enzymes, and urinalysis. e Grade 3 = 3+, large, ≥500 mg/dL; Grade 4 = 4+, marked, severe. f Grade 3 = 3+, large; Grade 4 = ≥4+, marked, severe, many. ULN=upper limit of normal. Test Nucleoside-Inhibitor-Naïve b Lamivudine-Refractory c Entecavir 0.5 mg n=679 Lamivudine 100 mg n=668 Entecavir 1 mg n=183 Lamivudine 100 mg n=190 Any Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormality d 35% 36% 37% 45% ALT >10 x ULN and >2 x baseline 2% 4% 2% 11% ALT >5 x ULN 11% 16% 12% 24% Albumin> <2.5 g/dL> <1%> <1% 0 2% Total bilirubin >2.5 x ULN 2% 2% 3% 2% Lipase ≥2.1 x ULN 7% 6% 7% 7% Creatinine >3 x ULN 0 0 0 0 Confirmed creatinine increase ≥0.5 mg/dL 1% 1% 2% 1% Hyperglycemia, fasting >250 mg/dL 2% 1% 3% 1% Glycosuria e 4% 3% 4% 6% Hematuria f 9% 10% 9% 6% Platelets> <50,000/mm 3> <1%> <1%> <1%> <1% Among Entecavir-treated subjects in these studies, on-treatment ALT elevations greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and greater than 2 times baseline generally resolved with continued treatment. A majority of these exacerbations were associated with a ≥2 log 10 /mL reduction in viral load that preceded or coincided with the ALT elevation. Periodic monitoring of hepatic function is recommended during treatment. Exacerbations of Hepatitis after Discontinuation of Treatment An exacerbation of hepatitis or ALT flare was defined as ALT greater than 10 times ULN and greater than 2 times the subject s reference level (minimum of the baseline or last measurement at end of dosing). For all subjects who discontinued treatment (regardless of reason), Table 5 presents the proportion of subjects in each study who experienced post-treatment ALT flares. In these studies, a subset of subjects was allowed to discontinue treatment at or after 52 weeks if they achieved a protocol-defined response to therapy. If Entecavir is discontinued without regard to treatment response, the rate of post-treatment flares could be higher. [See Warnings and Precautions (5.1) .] Table 5: Exacerbations of Hepatitis During Off-Treatment Follow-up, Subjects in Studies AI463022, AI463027, and AI463026 a Reference is the minimum of the baseline or last measurement at end of dosing. Median time to off-treatment exacerbation was 23 weeks for Entecavir-treated subjects and 10 weeks for lamivudine-treated subjects. Subjects with ALT Elevations >10 x ULN and >2 x Reference a Entecavir Lamivudine Nucleoside-inhibitor-naïve HBeAg-positive 4/174 (2%) 13/147 (9%) HBeAg-negative 24/302 (8%) 30/270 (11%) Lamivudine-refractory 6/52 (12%) 0/16 Decompensated Liver Disease Study AI463048 was a randomized, open-label study of Entecavir 1 mg once daily versus adefovir dipivoxil 10 mg once daily given for up to 48 weeks in adult subjects with chronic HBV infection and evidence of hepatic decompensation, defined as a Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score of 7 or higher [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Among the 102 subjects receiving Entecavir, the most common treatment-emergent adverse events of any severity, regardless of causality, occurring through Week 48 were peripheral edema (16%), ascites (15%), pyrexia (14%), hepatic encephalopathy (10%), and upper respiratory infection (10%). Clinical adverse reactions not listed in Table 2 that were observed through Week 48 include blood bicarbonate decreased (2%) and renal failure (> <1%). Eighteen of 102 (18%) subjects treated with Entecavir and 18/89 (20%) subjects treated with adefovir dipivoxil died during the first 48 weeks of therapy. The majority of deaths (11 in the Entecavir group and 16 in the adefovir dipivoxil group) were due to liver-related causes such as hepatic failure, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through Week 48 was 6% (6/102) for subjects treated with Entecavir and 8% (7/89) for subjects treated with adefovir dipivoxil. Five percent of subjects in either treatment arm discontinued therapy due to an adverse event through Week 48. No subject in either treatment arm experienced an on-treatment hepatic flare (ALT >2 x baseline and >10 x ULN) through Week 48. Eleven of 102 (11%) subjects treated with Entecavir and 11/89 (13%) subjects treated with adefovir dipivoxil had a confirmed increase in serum creatinine of 0.5 mg/dL through Week 48. HIV/HBV Co-infected The safety profile of Entecavir 1 mg (n=51) in HIV/HBV co-infected subjects enrolled in Study AI463038 was similar to that of placebo (n=17) through 24 weeks of blinded treatment and similar to that seen in non-HIV infected subjects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Liver Transplant Recipients Among 65 subjects receiving Entecavir in an open-label, post-liver transplant trial [see Use in Specific Populations (8.8) ] , the frequency and nature of adverse events were consistent with those expected in patients who have received a liver transplant and the known safety profile of Entecavir. Clinical Trial Experience in Pediatric Subjects Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of Entecavir in pediatric subjects 2 to less than 18 years of age is based on two ongoing clinical trials in subjects with chronic HBV infection (one Phase 2 pharmacokinetic trial [AI463028] and one Phase 3 trial [AI463189]). These trials provide experience in 168 HBeAg-positive subjects treated with Entecavir for a median duration of 72 weeks. The adverse reactions observed in pediatric subjects who received treatment with Entecavir were consistent with those observed in clinical trials of Entecavir in adults. Adverse drug reactions reported in greater than 1% of pediatric subjects included abdominal pain, rash events, poor palatability ( product taste abnormal ), nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been reported during postmarketing use of Entecavir. Because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to Entecavir exposure. Immune system disorders: Anaphylactoid reaction. Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Lactic acidosis. Hepatobiliary disorders: Increased transaminases. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Alopecia, rash. Drug Interactions Since Entecavir is primarily eliminated by the kidneys [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , coadministration of Entecavir with drugs that reduce renal function or compete for active tubular secretion may increase serum concentrations of either Entecavir or the coadministered drug. Coadministration of Entecavir with lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate did not result in significant drug interactions. The effects of coadministration of Entecavir with other drugs that are renally eliminated or are known to affect renal function have not been evaluated, and patients should be monitored closely for adverse events when Entecavir is coadministered with such drugs. USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Entecavir in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, Entecavir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry: To monitor fetal outcomes of pregnant women exposed to Entecavir, an Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling 1-800-258-4263. Animal Data Animal reproduction studies with Entecavir in rats and rabbits revealed no evidence of teratogenicity. Developmental toxicity studies were performed in rats and rabbits. There were no signs of embryofetal or maternal toxicity when pregnant animals received oral Entecavir at approximately 28 (rat) and 212 (rabbit) times the human exposure achieved at the highest recommended human dose of 1 mg/day. In rats, maternal toxicity, embryofetal toxicity (resorptions), lower fetal body weights, tail and vertebral malformations, reduced ossification (vertebrae, sternebrae, and phalanges), and extra lumbar vertebrae and ribs were observed at exposures 3100 times those in humans. In rabbits, embryofetal toxicity (resorptions), reduced ossification (hyoid), and an increased incidence of 13th rib were observed at exposures 883 times those in humans. In a peri-postnatal study, no adverse effects on offspring occurred when rats received oral Entecavir at exposures greater than 94 times those in humans. Labor and Delivery There are no studies in pregnant women and no data on the effect of Entecavir on transmission of HBV from mother to infant. Therefore, appropriate interventions should be used to prevent neonatal acquisition of HBV. Nursing Mothers It is not known whether Entecavir is excreted into human milk; however, Entecavir is excreted into the milk of rats. Because many drugs are excreted into human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Entecavir, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or to discontinue Entecavir taking into consideration the importance of continued hepatitis B therapy to the mother and the known benefits of breastfeeding. Pediatric Use Entecavir was evaluated in two clinical trials of pediatric subjects 2 years of age and older with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection and compensated liver disease. The exposure of Entecavir in nucleoside-inhibitor-treatment-naïve and lamivudine-experienced pediatric subjects 2 years of age and older with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection and compensated liver disease receiving 0.015 mg/kg (up to 0.5 mg once daily) or 0.03 mg/kg (up to 1 mg once daily), respectively, was evaluated in Study AI463028. Safety and efficacy of the selected dose in treatment-naïve pediatric subjects were confirmed in Study AI463189, a randomized, placebo-controlled treatment trial [see Indications and Usage (1) , Dosage and Administration (2.3) , Adverse Reactions (6.2) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) , and Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. There are limited data available on the use of Entecavir in lamivudine-experienced pediatric patients; Entecavir should be used in these patients only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the child. Since some pediatric patients may require long-term or even lifetime management of chronic active hepatitis B, consideration should be given to the impact of Entecavir on future treatment options [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. The efficacy and safety of Entecavir have not been established in patients less than 2 years of age. Use of Entecavir in this age group has not been evaluated because treatment of HBV in this age group is rarely required. Geriatric Use Clinical studies of Entecavir did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Entecavir is substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . Racial/Ethnic Groups There are no significant racial differences in Entecavir pharmacokinetics. The safety and efficacy of Entecavir 0.5 mg once daily were assessed in a single-arm, open-label trial of HBeAg-positive or -negative, nucleoside-inhibitor-naïve, Black/African American (n=40) and Hispanic (n=6) subjects with chronic HBV infection. In this trial, 76% of subjects were male, the mean age was 42 years, 57% were HBeAg-positive, the mean baseline HBV DNA was 7 log 10 IU/mL, and the mean baseline ALT was 162 U/L. At Week 48 of treatment, 32 of 46 (70%) subjects had HBV DNA> <50 IU/mL (approximately 300 copies/mL), 31 of 46 (67%) subjects had ALT normalization ( 1 ULN), and 12 of 26 (46%) HBeAg-positive subjects had HBe seroconversion. Safety data were similar to those observed in the larger controlled clinical trials. Because of low enrollment, safety and efficacy have not been established in the US Hispanic population. Renal Impairment Dosage adjustment of Entecavir is recommended for patients with creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min, including patients on hemodialysis or CAPD [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Liver Transplant Recipients The safety and efficacy of Entecavir were assessed in a single-arm, open-label trial in 65 subjects who received a liver transplant for complications of chronic HBV infection. Eligible subjects who had HBV DNA less than 172 IU/mL (approximately 1000 copies/mL) at the time of transplant were treated with Entecavir 1 mg once daily in addition to usual post-transplantation management, including hepatitis B immune globulin. The trial population was 82% male, 39% Caucasian, and 37% Asian, with a mean age of 49 years; 89% of subjects had HBeAg-negative disease at the time of transplant. Four of the 65 subjects received 4 weeks or less of Entecavir (2 deaths, 1 retransplantation, and 1 protocol violation) and were not considered evaluable. Of the 61 subjects who received more than 4 weeks of Entecavir, 60 received hepatitis B immune globulin post-transplant. Fifty-three subjects (82% of all 65 subjects treated) completed the trial and had HBV DNA measurements at or after 72 weeks treatment post-transplant. All 53 subjects had HBV DNA> <50 IU/mL (approximately 300 copies/mL). Eight evaluable subjects did not have HBV DNA data available at 72 weeks, including 3 subjects who died prior to study completion. No subjects had HBV DNA values ≥50 IU/mL while receiving Entecavir (plus hepatitis B immune globulin). All 61 evaluable subjects lost HBsAg post-transplant; 2 of these subjects experienced recurrence of measurable HBsAg without recurrence of HBV viremia. This trial was not designed to determine whether addition of Entecavir to hepatitis B immune globulin decreased the proportion of subjects with measurable HBV DNA post-transplant compared to hepatitis B immune globulin alone. If Entecavir treatment is determined to be necessary for a liver transplant recipient who has received or is receiving an immunosuppressant that may affect renal function, such as cyclosporine or tacrolimus, renal function must be carefully monitored both before and during treatment with Entecavir [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Overdosage There is limited experience of Entecavir overdosage reported in patients. Healthy subjects who received single Entecavir doses up to 40 mg or multiple doses up to 20 mg/day for up to 14 days had no increase in or unexpected adverse events. If overdose occurs, the patient must be monitored for evidence of toxicity, and standard supportive treatment applied as necessary. Following a single 1 mg dose of Entecavir, a 4-hour hemodialysis session removed approximately 13% of the Entecavir dose. Entecavir Description Entecavir is a guanosine nucleoside analogue with selective activity against HBV. The chemical name for Entecavir is 2-amino-1,9-dihydro-9-[( 1S,3R,4S )-4-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylenecyclopentyl]-6 H -purin-6-one, monohydrate. Its molecular formula is C 12 H 15 N 5 O 3 •H 2 O, which corresponds to a molecular weight of 295.3. Entecavir has the following structural formula: Entecavir USP is a white to off-white powder. It is slightly soluble in water (2.4 mg/mL), and the pH of the saturated solution in water is 7.9 at 25 C 0.5 C. Entecavir film-coated tablets are available for oral administration in strengths of 0.5 mg and 1 mg of Entecavir USP. Entecavir 0.5 mg and 1 mg film-coated tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: crospovidone, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide. Entecavir - Clinical Pharmacology Mechanism of Action Entecavir is an antiviral drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. Pharmacokinetics The single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of Entecavir were evaluated in healthy subjects and subjects with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Absorption Following oral administration in healthy subjects, Entecavir peak plasma concentrations occurred between 0.5 and 1.5 hours. Following multiple daily doses ranging from 0.1 to 1 mg, C max and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) at steady state increased in proportion to dose. Steady state was achieved after 6 to 10 days of once-daily administration with approximately 2-fold accumulation. For a 0.5 mg oral dose, C max at steady state was 4.2 ng/mL and trough plasma concentration (C trough ) was 0.3 ng/mL. For a 1 mg oral dose, C max was 8.2 ng/mL and C trough was 0.5 ng/mL. Effects of food on oral absorption: Oral administration of 0.5 mg of Entecavir with a standard high-fat meal (945 kcal, 54.6 g fat) or a light meal (379 kcal, 8.2 g fat) resulted in a delay in absorption (1 to 1.5 hours fed vs. 0.75 hours fasted), a decrease in C max of 44% to 46%, and a decrease in AUC of 18% to 20% [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] . Distribution Based on the pharmacokinetic profile of Entecavir after oral dosing, the estimated apparent volume of distribution is in excess of total body water, suggesting that Entecavir is extensively distributed into tissues. Binding of Entecavir to human serum proteins in vitro was approximately 13%. Metabolism and Elimination Following administration of 14 C-Entecavir in humans and rats, no oxidative or acetylated metabolites were observed. Minor amounts of phase II metabolites (glucuronide and sulfate conjugates) were observed. Entecavir is not a substrate, inhibitor, or inducer of the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system. See Drug Interactions, below . After reaching peak concentration, Entecavir plasma concentrations decreased in a bi-exponential manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 128 to 149 hours. The observed drug accumulation index is approximately 2-fold with once-daily dosing, suggesting an effective accumulation half-life of approximately 24 hours. Entecavir is predominantly eliminated by the kidney with urinary recovery of unchanged drug at steady state ranging from 62% to 73% of the administered dose. Renal clearance is independent of dose and ranges from 360 to 471 mL/min suggesting that Entecavir undergoes both glomerular filtration and net tubular secretion [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . Special Populations Gender: There are no significant gender differences in Entecavir pharmacokinetics. R ace: There are no significant racial differences in Entecavir pharmacokinetics. Elderly: The effect of age on the pharmacokinetics of Entecavir was evaluated following administration of a single 1 mg oral dose in healthy young and elderly volunteers. Entecavir AUC was 29.3% greater in elderly subjects compared to young subjects. The disparity in exposure between elderly and young subjects was most likely attributable to differences in renal function. Dosage adjustment of Entecavir should be based on the renal function of the patient, rather than age [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . Pediatrics: The steady-state pharmacokinetics of Entecavir were evaluated in nucleosideinhibitor-naïve and lamivudine-experienced HBeAg-positive pediatric subjects 2 to less than 18 years of age with compensated liver disease. Results are shown in Table 6. Entecavir exposure among nucleoside-inhibitor-naïve subjects was similar to the exposure achieved in adults receiving once-daily doses of 0.5 mg. Entecavir exposure among lamivudine-experienced subjects was similar to the exposure achieved in adults receiving once-daily doses of 1 mg. a Subjects received once-daily doses of 0.015 mg/kg up to a maximum of 0.5 mg. b Subjects received once-daily doses of 0.030 mg/kg up to a maximum of 1 mg. Table 6: Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Pediatric Subjects Nucleoside-Inhibitor-Naive a n=24 Lamivudine-Experienced b n=19 Cmax (ng/mL) (CV%) 6.31 (30) 14.48 (31) AUC (0-24) (ng.h/mL) (CV%) 18.33 (27) 38.58 (26) C min (ng/mL) (CV%) 0.28 (22) 0.47 (23) Renal impairment: The pharmacokinetics of Entecavir following a single 1 mg dose were studied in subjects (without chronic hepatitis B virus infection) with selected degrees of renal impairment, including subjects whose renal impairment was managed by hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Results are shown in Table 7 [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . Table 7: Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Subjects with Selected Degrees of Renal Function a Dosed immediately following hemodialysis. CLR = renal clearance; CLT/F = apparent oral clearance. Renal Function Group Baseline Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) Unimpaired >80 n=6 Mild >50 to 80 n=6 Moderate 30 to 50 n=6 Severe> <30 n=6 Severe Managed with Hemodialysis a n=6 Severe Managed with CAPD n=4 C max (ng/mL) (CV%) 8.1 (30.7) 10.4 (37.2) 10.5 (22.7) 15.3 (33.8) 15.4 (56.4) 16.6 (29.7) AUC (0-T) (ng•h/mL) (CV) 27.9 (25.6) 51.5 (22.8) 69.5 (22.7) 145.7 (31.5) 233.9 (28.4) 221.8 (11.6) CLR (mL/min) (SD) 383.2 (101.8) 197.9 (78.1) 135.6 (31.6) 40.3 (10.1) NA NA CLT/F (mL/min) (SD) 588.1 (153.7) 309.2 (62.6) 226.3 (60.1) 100.6 (29.1) 50.6 (16.5) 35.7 (19.6) Following a single 1 mg dose of Entecavir administered 2 hours before the hemodialysis session, hemodialysis removed approximately 13% of the Entecavir dose over 4 hours. CAPD removed approximately 0.3% of the dose over 7 days [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . Hepatic impairment: The pharmacokinetics of Entecavir following a single 1 mg dose were studied in adult subjects (without chronic hepatitis B virus infection) with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Turcotte-Pugh Class B or C). The pharmacokinetics of Entecavir were similar between hepatically impaired and healthy control subjects; therefore, no dosage adjustment of Entecavir is recommended for patients with hepatic impairment. The pharmacokinetics of Entecavir have not been studied in pediatric subjects with hepatic impairment. Post-liver transplant: Limited data are available on the safety and efficacy of Entecavir in liver transplant recipients. In a small pilot study of Entecavir use in HBV-infected liver transplant recipients on a stable dose of cyclosporine A (n=5) or tacrolimus (n=4), Entecavir exposure was approximately 2-fold the exposure in healthy subjects with normal renal function. Altered renal function contributed to the increase in Entecavir exposure in these subjects. The potential for pharmacokinetic interactions between Entecavir and cyclosporine A or tacrolimus was not formally evaluated [see Use in Specific Populations (8.8) ]. Drug Interactions The metabolism of Entecavir was evaluated in in vitro and in vivo studies. Entecavir is not a substrate, inhibitor, or inducer of the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system. At concentrations up to approximately 10,000-fold higher than those obtained in humans, Entecavir inhibited none of the major human CYP450 enzymes 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4, 2B6, and 2E1. At concentrations up to approximately 340-fold higher than those observed in humans, Entecavir did not induce the human CYP450 enzymes 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 3A4, 3A5, and 2B6. The pharmacokinetics of Entecavir are unlikely to be affected by coadministration with agents that are either metabolized by, inhibit, or induce the CYP450 system. Likewise, the pharmacokinetics of known CYP substrates are unlikely to be affected by coadministration of Entecavir. The steady-state pharmacokinetics of Entecavir and coadministered drug were not altered in interaction studies of Entecavir with lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . Microbiology Mechanism of Action Entecavir, a guanosine nucleoside analogue with activity against HBV reverse transcriptase (rt), is efficiently phosphorylated to the active triphosphate form, which has an intracellular half-life of 15 hours. By competing with the natural substrate deoxyguanosine triphosphate, Entecavir triphosphate functionally inhibits all three activities of the HBV reverse transcriptase: (1) base priming, (2) reverse transcription of the negative strand from the pregenomic messenger RNA, and (3) synthesis of the positive strand of HBV DNA. Entecavir triphosphate is a weak inhibitor of cellular DNA polymerases α, β, and δ and mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ with K i values ranging from 18 to >160 μM. Antiviral Activity Entecavir inhibited HBV DNA synthesis (50% reduction, EC 50 ) at a concentration of 0.004 μM in human HepG2 cells transfected with wild-type HBV. The median EC 50 value for Entecavir against lamivudine-resistant HBV (rtL180M, rtM204V) was 0.026 μM (range 0.01 to 0.059 μM). The coadministration of HIV nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) with Entecavir is unlikely to reduce the antiviral efficacy of Entecavir against HBV or of any of these agents against HIV. In HBV combination assays in cell culture, abacavir, didanosine, lamivudine, stavudine, tenofovir, or zidovudine were not antagonistic to the anti-HBV activity of Entecavir over a wide range of concentrations. In HIV antiviral assays, Entecavir was not antagonistic to the cell culture anti-HIV activity of these six NRTIs or emtricitabine at concentrations greater than 100 times the C max of Entecavir using the 1 mg dose. Antiviral Activity Against HIV A comprehensive analysis of the inhibitory activity of Entecavir against a panel of laboratory and clinical HIV type 1 (HIV-1) isolates using a variety of cells and assay conditions yielded EC 50 values ranging from 0.026 to >10 μM; the lower EC 50 values were observed when decreased levels of virus were used in the assay. In cell culture, Entecavir selected for an M184I substitution in HIV reverse transcriptase at micromolar concentrations, confirming inhibitory pressure at high Entecavir concentrations. HIV variants containing the M184V substitution showed loss of susceptibility to Entecavir. Resistance In Cell Culture In cell-based assays, 8- to 30-fold reductions in Entecavir phenotypic susceptibility were observed for lamivudine-resistant strains. Further reductions (>70-fold) in Entecavir phenotypic susceptibility required the presence of amino acid substitutions rtM204I/V with or without rtL180M along with additional substitutions at residues rtT184, rtS202, or rtM250, or a combination of these substitutions with or without an rtI169 substitution in the HBV reverse transcriptase. Clinical Studies Nucleoside-inhibitor-naïve subjects : Genotypic evaluations were performed on evaluable samples (>300 copies/mL serum HBV DNA) from 562 subjects who were treated with Entecavir for up to 96 weeks in nucleoside-inhibitor-naïve studies (AI463022, AI463027, and rollover study AI463901). By Week 96, evidence of emerging amino acid substitution rtS202G with rtM204V and rtL180M substitutions was detected in the HBV of 2 subjects (2/562=> <1%), and 1 of them experienced virologic rebound (≥1 log 10 increase above nadir). In addition, emerging amino acid substitutions at rtM204I/V and rtL180M, rtL80I, or rtV173L, which conferred decreased phenotypic susceptibility to Entecavir in the absence of rtT184, rtS202, or rtM250 changes, were detected in the HBV of 3 subjects (3/562=> <1%) who experienced virologic rebound. For subjects who continued treatment beyond 48 weeks, 75% (202/269) had HBV DNA> <300 copies/mL at end of dosing (up to 96 weeks). HBeAg-positive (n=243) and -negative (n=39) treatment-naïve subjects who failed to achieve the study-defined complete response by 96 weeks were offered continued Entecavir treatment in a rollover study. Complete response for HBeAg-positive was> <0.7 MEq/mL (approximately 7 x 10 5 copies/mL) serum HBV DNA and HBeAg loss and, for HBeAg-negative was> <0.7 MEq/mL HBV DNA and ALT normalization. Subjects received 1 mg Entecavir once daily for up to an additional 144 weeks. Of these 282 subjects, 141 HBeAg-positive and 8 HBeAg-negative subjects entered the long-term follow-up rollover study and were evaluated for Entecavir resistance. Of the 149 subjects entering the rollover study, 88% (131/149), 92% (137/149), and 92% (137/149) attained serum HBV DNA> <300 copies/mL by Weeks 144, 192, and 240 (including end of dosing), respectively. No novel Entecavir resistance-associated substitutions were identified in a comparison of the genotypes of evaluable isolates with their respective baseline isolates. The cumulative probability of developing rtT184, rtS202, or rtM250 Entecavir resistance-associated substitutions (in the presence of rtM204V and rtL180M substitutions) at Weeks 48, 96, 144, 192, and 240 was 0.2%, 0.5%, 1.2%, 1.2%, and 1.2%, respectively. Lamivudine-refractory subjects: Genotypic evaluations were performed on evaluable samples from 190 subjects treated with Entecavir for up to 96 weeks in studies of lamivudine-refractory HBV (AI463026, AI463014, AI463015, and rollover study AI463901). By Week 96, resistance-associated amino acid substitutions at rtS202, rtT184, or rtM250, with or without rtI169 changes, in the presence of amino acid substitutions rtM204I/V with or without rtL180M, rtL80V, or rtV173L/M emerged in the HBV from 22 subjects (22/190=12%), 16 of whom experienced virologic rebound (≥1 log 10 increase above nadir) and 4 of whom were never suppressed> <300 copies/mL. The HBV from 4 of these subjects had Entecavir resistance substitutions at baseline and acquired further changes on Entecavir treatment. In addition to the 22 subjects, 3 subjects experienced virologic rebound with the emergence of rtM204I/V and rtL180M, rtL80V, or rtV173L/M. For isolates from subjects who experienced virologic rebound with the emergence of resistance substitutions (n=19), customer service
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