Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ADEFOVIR (ah-DEF-oh-veer)
This medicine is a nucleotide analog used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
WARNING: SOME PATIENTS HAVE DEVELOPED SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL WORSENING OF HEPATITIS after they stop taking this medicine. IF YOU STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE, your doctor will need to perform liver function tests and check you closely for signs of worsening liver problems for at least several months. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE SERIOUS KIDNEY PROBLEMS, especially if you already have or are at risk for kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney problems. They may need to perform kidney function tests or adjust your dose of this medicine. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY if you develop a change in the amount of urine that you produce. Use of this medicine for hepatitis B infection in patients with untreated or unknown HIV infection may result in strains of the HIV virus that are resistant to treatment. Tell your doctor if you have HIV infection or may be at risk for HIV infection. HIGH LEVELS OF LACTIC ACID IN THE BLOOD AND SEVERE LIVER PROBLEMS have infrequently been reported with the use of this medicine either alone or with other medicines. These effects have been fatal in some cases. The risk of developing these problems may be greater if you are very overweight or have been using a nucleoside analog (eg, didanosine, lamivudine) for a long time. NOTIFY YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you develop unusual weakness or fatigue, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, light-colored stools, loss of appetite, abdominal or stomach pain with or without nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, muscle aches or weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, coldness (especially in the arms or legs), trouble breathing, or fast or irregular heartbeat. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking nucleoside analogs (eg, didanosine, lamivudine); or medicines that may harm your kidneys (eg, aminoglycosides [eg, gentamicin], amphotericin B, cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] [eg, ibuprofen], tacrolimus, vancomycin). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including if you have a history of kidney problems; liver problems; abnormal liver function tests; a liver transplant; HIV infection or are at risk for HIV infection; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you are overweight or if you have taken lamivudine to treat HBV infection and it stopped working well (lamivudine-resistant HBV). USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have an enlarged liver or high levels of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis). Use of this medicine in CHILDREN under age 12 is not recommended; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with an ADDITIONAL PATIENT LEAFLET. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get this medicine refilled. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with or without food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in the original container away from heat, moisture, and light. DO NOT USE if the seal over the bottle opening is broken or missing. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Take this medicine on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. CONTINUE TO USE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible if you remember that same day. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once. IF MORE THAN ONE DOSE IS MISSED, contact your health care provider.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. LAB TESTS, including liver and kidney function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Keep all doctor and lab appointments while taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT CURE CHRONIC HEPATITIS B. It may help reduce the amount of hepatitis B virus in your body. WHEN YOUR MEDICINE SUPPLY IS LOW, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE, even for a short period of time. If you do, the virus may grow resistant to the medicine and become harder to treat. Do NOT stop taking this medicine or change your dose without checking with your doctor. The risk of severe liver problems may be greater if you suddenly stop this medicine. THIS MEDICINE DOES NOT STOP THE SPREAD OF HBV to others through blood or sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (eg, condoms) if you have HBV infection. Do not share needles, injection supplies, or items like toothbrushes or razors. YOU SHOULD BE TESTED FOR HIV BEFORE TAKING THIS MEDICINE and anytime there is a chance that you are exposed to HIV. If you have or contract HIV that is not being treated, this medicine may stop usual HIV medicines from controlling your HIV infection. THIS MEDICINE MAY INFREQUENTLY CAUSE A BUILDUP OF LACTIC ACID IN THE BLOOD. Tell your doctor right away if you notice new or unusual weakness, muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold arms and legs, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fast or irregular heartbeat. WORSENING OF YOUR CONDITION, decreased response to this medicine, or development of resistant strains of the virus may occur during or after treatment. Tell your doctor immediately if any new symptoms occur during or after treatment. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use this medicine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea; fever; gas; headache; increased cough; indigestion; nausea; sore throat; upset stomach; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience change in the amount of urine you produce; cold arms and legs; dark urine; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; light-colored bowel movements; loss of appetite; muscle pain; severe or persistent stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting; unusual drowsiness; unusual weakness or fatigue; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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