Adefovir Dipivoxil (a-DEF-oh-vir dye-piv-OX-il)

Treats chronic (long-term) hepatitis B infection. This is an antiviral medicine.

Brand Name(s):

Hepsera

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• It is important that you do not miss any doses of this medicine. Contact your doctor or pharmacy when your supply of this medicine runs low. Do not allow yourself to run out of this medicine.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• You should not use this medicine if you also use tenofovir (Viread®) or medicines that contain tenofovir (such as Atripla®, Complera®, Stribild™, or Truvada®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you also use cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), an antibiotic (such as amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, vancomycin, Garamycin®, Vancocin®), or an NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Voltaren®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease, HIV or AIDS, or other liver disease such as cirrhosis. Tell your doctor if you have had a liver transplant.
• You may need to have a test for HIV/AIDS before you start using this medicine. Adefovir is related to medicines used to treat AIDS. AIDS medicines may not work if you have used adefovir. Tell your doctor any time you think you have been exposed to HIV or AIDS.
• Call your doctor right away if you feel very tired, weak, or nauseated, if you vomit or have trouble breathing, or if your skin or eyes turn yellow. These may be symptoms of lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood) and an enlarged liver, which are rare but serious reactions to this medicine.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• This medicine will not keep you from giving hepatitis B to your partner during sex. Make sure you practice safe sex, even if your partner also has hepatitis B. Do not share needles with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach, yellow skin or eyes
• Muscle pain or cramping
• Severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and fever
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Unusual weakness or tiredness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild stomach pain
• Mild weakness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088