Drug interactions
Entecavir + Metformin
Severity: Moderate
Entecavir and Metformin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs have been linked to lactic acidosis, and entecavir labeling advises caution with other agents that carry this risk. Patients with renal or hepatic impairment are at higher risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Entecavir and Metformin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Entecavir belongs to Anti Virals; Metformin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive risk of lactic acidosis from mitochondrial toxicity with entecavir and impaired lactate clearance with metformin.
What to do
Monitor for symptoms of lactic acidosis such as malaise, nausea and rapid breathing, and check renal and hepatic function. Stop treatment if lactic acidosis is suspected.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Entecavir
Other interactions of Metformin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Entecavir with Metformin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Entecavir and Metformin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs have been linked to lactic acidosis, and entecavir labeling advises caution with other agents that carry this risk. Patients with renal or hepatic impairment are at higher risk.
How serious is the interaction between Entecavir and Metformin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for symptoms of lactic acidosis such as malaise, nausea and rapid breathing, and check renal and hepatic function. Stop treatment if lactic acidosis is suspected.
What other medicines interact with Entecavir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Entecavir with, for example, Alogliptin-metformin, Canagliflozin-metformin, Cidofovir. The full list is on the Entecavir page.
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