Adefovir

Generic name: Adefovir
Brand names: Hepsera
Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg)
Drug class: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Usage of Adefovir

Adefovir is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat chronic hepatitis B in adults and children at least 12 years old. Adefovir is not a cure for chronic hepatitis B.

Adefovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Adefovir side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may worsen over time, and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Adefovir may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or

liver problems--nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of adefovir may include:

stomach pain, nausea;

weakness; or

headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Adefovir

You should not take adefovir if you are allergic to it.

You should not take adefovir if you also medicine that contains tenofovir (Atripla, Biktarvy, Cimduo, Complera, Delstrigo, Descovy, Genvoya, Stribild, Symfi, Truvada, or Viread).

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or if you are on dialysis.

Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to HIV, or if you have untreated HIV or AIDS. Taking medicines to treat chronic hepatitis B can cause HIV infection to become resistant to the standard HIV and AIDS medications. You may need to be tested for HIV before you start taking adefovir.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you've taken antiviral medication for a long time, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of adefovir on the baby.

Adefovir is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Adefovir

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Hepatitis B:

10 mg orally once a dayDuration of therapy: Optimum duration not establishedComments:-Indication based on histological, virological, biochemical, and serological responses in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B with compensated liver function, and with clinical evidence of lamivudine-resistant HBV with compensated/decompensated liver functionUse: For the treatment of chronic HBV infection in patients with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent serum aminotransferase (ALT or AST) elevations or histologically active disease

Usual Pediatric Dose for Chronic Hepatitis B:

12 years or older: 10 mg orally once a dayDuration of therapy: Optimum duration not establishedComments:-Indication based on virological and biochemical responses in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection with compensated liver functionUse: For the treatment of chronic HBV infection in patients with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent serum aminotransferase (ALT or AST) elevations or histologically active disease

Warnings

You may need to be tested for HIV before you start taking adefovir. Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to HIV, or if you have untreated HIV or AIDS.

Call your doctor at once if you have liver symptoms such as right-sided upper stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Adefovir can harm your kidneys, especially if you already have kidney problems or take certain medicines.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Hepatitis B may become active or get worse after you stop using adefovir. You may need frequent liver function tests for several months.

What other drugs will affect Adefovir

Adefovir can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Other drugs may affect adefovir, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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