Hepsera (Generic)

Adefovir can slow the liver damage caused by hepatitis B.

Take adefovir tablets by mouth. If adefovir upsets your stomach, you can take it with food. Swallow tablets with a drink of water. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Blood in your urine
Sugar in your urine
Abdominal pain
Headache
Lack or loss of strength

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

When you are taking adefovir, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

Nephrotoxic medicines (medicines that can be harmful to your kidneys), such as:
Aminoglycosides (medicines used to treat infection) or
Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune or Neoral) or
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (medicines used to treat pain and inflammation) or
Tacrolimus (e.g. Prograf) or
Vancomycin (medicine used to treat severe infections)—Using these medicines with adefovir may cause you to have a higher chance of having problems with your kidneys.
Nucleoside analog medicines (other antiviral medicines), such as:
Abacavir (e.g. Ziagen) or
Abacavir, Lamivudine, and Zidovudine (e.g. Trizivir) or
Didanosine (e.g. Videx) or
Lamivudine (e.g. Epivir) or
Lamivudine and Zidovudine (e.g. Combivir) or
Stavudine (e.g. Zerit) or
Tenofovir (e.g. Viread) or
Zalcitabine (e.g. Hivid) or
Zidovudine (e.g. Retrovir)—Using these medicines with adefovir may cause you to have a higher chance of having problems with your liver or developing lactic acidosis.

Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—It is important to talk to your doctor about the HIV virus before starting this medicine. Adefovir can make this condition worse.
Kidney problems—Adefovir can cause kidney problems and your doctor may want to change your dose.

If you get or have HIV that isn't being treated with medicines, Hepsera may increase the chances your HIV infection cannot be helped with usual HIV medicines. This can happen if you get or have HIV and don't know it, or if your HIV is not being treated while you are taking Hepsera. You should get an HIV test before you start taking Hepsera and any time after that when there's a chance you were exposed to HIV.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

ADEFOVIR is used to treat infections due to the hepatitis B virus. It will not cure or prevent hepatitis B infection.

Store between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Keep the container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

You will need regular blood tests to check for liver function and hepatitis B virus levels.
Discuss any new symptoms with your prescriber or health care professional. Some people have worsening of hepatitis after stopping adefovir therapy. Do not stop taking adefovir unless your prescriber instructs you to.
Adefovir will not cure hepatitis B infection and you can still get other illnesses or complications associated with your disease.
Be careful about cuts, abrasions and other possible sources of blood contact. Do not share razors, toothbrushes or other personal items that might have contact with blood. Never share a needle or syringe with anyone.

Your prescriber may talk to you about being tested for the HIV virus prior to starting or during treatment with adefovir for hepatitis B. The use of adefovir can cause resistance to certain HIV medicines.