Type of medicine: antiviral
Generic and brand names: adefovir dipivoxil, oral; Hepsera
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat continuing (chronic) hepatitis B virus infections in adults and children 12 years of age and older.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. It is important that you don’t run out of medicine. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Your symptoms may get worse if you stop taking this medicine too soon.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.
If you miss a dose of this medicine and you are taking just one dose daily, take the missed dose as soon as you remember that same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose or you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
This medicine can cause or worsen liver or kidney problems. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop severe tiredness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, fever, headache, yellowing of your eyes and skin, or muscle or joint pain.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious complication that can occur with use of this medicine. This condition is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are:
This medicine does not cure hepatitis B or keep you from spreading it to other people. Practice safe sex and do not share needles, toothbrushes, or razor blades with others.
Alcohol may increase the chance that this medicine may damage the liver. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
If you get or already have HIV, this medicine may increase your chance of developing a form of HIV that cannot be treated with usual HIV medicines. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you think you have been exposed to HIV while taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, vomiting, severe stomach pain, feeling very ill generally, fast or irregular heartbeat, dark urine, decreased urination; confusion; swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; light-colored bowel movements, yellowish skin or eyes; unexplained loss of appetite; feeling cold, dizzy, or lightheaded; severe weakness or unusual tiredness.
Other: Nausea, weakness, headache, itching, rash, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature in the original container. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
