ADEFOVIR DIPIVOXIL - ORAL (Hepsera) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

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GENERIC NAME: ADEFOVIR DIPIVOXIL - ORAL (ah-DEH-foe-veer dip-ih-VOX-il)

BRAND NAME(S): Hepsera

WARNING: Severe worsening of hepatitis (rarely including death) has occurred when adefovir dipivoxil has been discontinued. When you are instructed to stop taking this medication, your doctor will monitor you closely for signs of worsening hepatitis. Be sure to keep all doctor and laboratory appointments after you stop taking this drug. Infrequently, severe (sometimes fatal) liver and blood acid-base balance problems (lactic acidosis) have occurred while using a similar type of medication (nucleoside analogs such as didanosine or stavudine). Notify your doctor immediately if you develop unusual weakness or fatigue, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal or stomach pain, drowsiness, muscle aches or weakness, trouble breathing (e.g., rapid breathing or very shallow breathing), or fast or irregular heartbeat. In patients with kidney disease, adefovir dipivoxil can cause kidney damage. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop a change in the amount of urine that you produce. If you get or have HIV infection that is not being treated with medication, adefovir dipivoxil may cause your HIV infection to become untreatable with the usual HIV drugs (development of HIV resistance). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

USES: This medication is an acyclic nucleotide analog used to treat a chronic viral infection of the liver (hepatitis B). It works by slowing the growth of the virus. It is not a cure for hepatitis B and does not prevent the passing of hepatitis B to others.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily; or take as directed by your doctor. May take with or without food. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase or decrease your dose or stop taking this medication unless directed to do so by your doctor or pharmacist. Treatment with adefovir alone is not appropriate for patients infected with both hepatitis B and HIV. An HIV test is recommended both before and during treatment to ensure you receive appropriate treatment. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Worsening of your condition, decreased response to therapy, or the occurrence of resistant strains of the virus may occur during or after treatment. Promptly report any new symptoms that occur during or after treatment to your doctor.