Adefovir Dipivoxil, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiviral

Generic and brand names: adefovir dipivoxil, oral; Hepsera

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat continuing (chronic) hepatitis B virus infections in adults.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• kidney disease
• liver disease other than hepatitis B.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care 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 health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

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. This happens more often in people with kidney problems. Most people with kidney problems should not take this medicine. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are:

• feeling weak or tired
• unusual muscle pain
• having trouble breathing
• feeling cold
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• suddenly developing a slow or irregular heartbeat.

This medicine does not cure hepatitis B or keep you from spreading it to other people. Do not share needles, toothbrushes, or razor blades with others.

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. Talk with your health care provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

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 health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Muscle pain, trouble breathing, severe abdominal pain, feeling very ill generally, fast or irregular heartbeat, dark urine, decreased urination, light-colored bowel movements.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, weakness, headache, itching, rash, stomach pain, diarrhea, gas.

What products might interact with this medicine?

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 health care provider if you are taking:

• abacavir (Ziagen)
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• didanosine (Videx)
• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin)
• lamivudine (Epivir-HIV, Epivir-HBV, Combivir)
• stavudine (Zerit)
• tacrolimus (Prograf)
• tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread)
• zalcitabine (Hivid)
• zidovudine (Retrovir, Trizivir).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. 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 health care 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.