What is this medication?

ADEFOVIR (a DEF o veer) is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat chronic hepatitis B. This medicine will not cure or prevent hepatitis B infection. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Hepsera

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• HIV or AIDS
• kidney disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to adefovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medicine with or without food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cidofovir
• any medicine that contains tenofovir

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• certain antibiotics given by injection (gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, vancomycin)
• cyclosporine
• dofetilide
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
• metformin
• pemetrexed
• tacrolimus

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine. Blood tests will be used to check your liver function and hepatitis B virus levels.

A worsening of hepatitis can occur after stopping this medicine. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medicine. If you must stop the medicine, follow all the directions of your doctor.

Hepatitis B is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of hepatitis B. This medicine will not cure hepatitis B infection and you can still get other problems associated with your disease or pass hepatitis B to others.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• dark urine
• dizzy, lightheaded
• fast, irregular heart beat
• fever, chills, or frequent sore throat
• general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms
• light-colored stools
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• unusual muscle pain
• unusual stomach pain, such as right upper belly pain
• unusually weak or tired
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• headache
• indigestion
• itching
• loss of appetite
• nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

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

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.