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Hepsera

Hepsera

Adefovir belongs to a group of medications known as antivirals. It is used to treat people with chronic hepatitis B infection who also have active liver damage.

Available form

Dosage

Tablet

10MG

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Hepsera information

Dosage

Side Effects

Available Form

Contraindications

Precautions

Warnings

The usual recommended dose of adefovir is 10 mg once daily, taken with or without food. Taking adefovir at the same time each day may help you to remember to take your medication. People with reduced kidney function may need longer periods of time between doses.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Hepsera exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, but remember it that same day, take the missed dose immediately and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Hepsera at room temperature in the original container and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Hepsera. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Hepsera with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Hepsera. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

Diarrhea
gas
headache
indigestion
nausea
skin rash or itching
stomach pain
tiredness
weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

bone pain and softening of the bone
muscle pain or weakness
signs of kidney problems (e.g., change in the amount or colour of urine, increased urination at night, blood in the urine, swelling in the feet or legs)
symptoms of liver problems (e.g., yellowing of the skin or whites of eyes, dark urine, pale stools, loss of appetite, nausea, lower stomach pain)

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, Fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
symptoms of lactic acidosis (e.g., unusual weakness or tiredness, unusual muscle pain, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, feeling cold especially in the arms and legs, dizziness or lightheadedness, fast or irregular heartbeat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Hepsera.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Hepsera.

Hepatitis B transmission: The hepatitis B infection can still be transmitted to other people through blood contamination or sexual contact while you are taking Hepsera. Continue to take appropriate precautions to prevent the transmission of hepatitis B throughout your treatment with adefovir.

HIV and hepatitis B co-infections: If you get or have HIV infection and are not taking medication to treat HIV, adefovir may increase the chance that your HIV infection will not respond to usual treatment. Therefore, it is important to be tested for HIV before starting treatment with adefovir and whenever there is a risk of HIV exposure during treatment. Adefovir should not be taken in combination with certain other medications used to treat HIV infection.

Kidney problems: Hepsera may cause kidney problems, especially for people who have or are at risk of developing reduced kidney function (e.g., taking other medications that can cause kidney problems, high blood pressure, Diabetes). Your doctor will monitor your kidney function while you are taking Hepsera. If you have reduced kidney function, you may require longer periods of time between doses.

Lactic acidosis and enlarged liver: Adefovir can cause a condition called lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic acid) together with an enlarged liver. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting
dark yellow or brown urine
difficulty breathing
dizziness or lightheadedness
fast or irregular heartbeat
feeling cold, especially in the arms and legs
loss of appetite
pale stools
unusual muscle pain
unusual tiredness or weakness
yellowing of the skin or eyes

Your doctor will periodically monitor you and perform laboratory tests to check your liver function.

Stopping the medication: People with hepatitis may experience a worsening of their condition usually within 12 weeks of stopping Hepsera. If you and your doctor decide that you should stop taking adefovir, you will need to have regular blood tests to check liver function and hepatitis B virus levels.

Pregnancy: Hepsera should not be taken during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Hepsera, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if adefovir passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while taking Hepsera.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Hepsera have not been established for children.

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