Type of medicine: antiviral; hepatitis B treatment
Generic and brand names: telbivudine, oral; Tyzeka
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are on a low sodium diet. The liquid form of this medicine contains sodium.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Changing your dosage on your own can make liver disease worse. 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 food may decrease the chance of stomach upset. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember to take it.
If you are taking the liquid form of this medicine, carefully measure your dose with the dosing cup provided. Do not use a kitchen spoon or other measuring device. Carefully pour the medicine from the bottle into the dosing cup until the medicine reaches the line that matches the correct line on the dosing cup for your prescribed dose. If you pour too much medicine into the cup, pour the extra medicine into the sink. Do not pour it back into the bottle. Take the medicine right away. Rinse the dosing cup with clean water and dry the dosing cup with a dry, clean tissue.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
This medicine can cause serious or life-threatening liver problems. You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you and after you stop taking this medicine. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious problem that can occur with use of this medicine. Stop taking this medicine and contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop unexplained symptoms such as:
Tell the healthcare provider who prescribed this medicine if you develop any new symptoms or if you start taking any new medicine.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine without your health care providers approval.
This medicine does not cure hepatitis B. Treatment with this medicine does not reduce the risk of infecting others with hepatitis B virus through sexual contact or blood contamination. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
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 of call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe tiredness or weakness; nausea; vomiting; fever; dark urine; unexplained muscle aches, pain, tenderness, or weakness; joint pain; light-colored bowel movements; fast or irregular heartbeat; yellowing of your eyes or skin; sudden and severe stomach pain; numbness, tingling, or pain in arms or legs; problems walking.
Other: Headache; tiredness; trouble sleeping; dizziness; ear, nose, and throat infections; cough; sore throat; back pain; diarrhea; rash.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any 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:
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. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Discard any unused liquid form of this medicine within 2 months after opening the bottle.
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 medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
