What is adefovir?
Adefovir is an antiviral medication. It works by preventing viral cells from multiplying in the body and infecting new liver cells.
Adefovir is used to treat chronic hepatitis B in adults. This medicine will not cure hepatitis.
Adefovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about adefovir?
Some people develop lactic acidosis while taking adefovir. Early symptoms may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Adefovir can also cause serious kidney problems, especially if you have kidney disease or take certain medications.
You may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using adefovir. Visit your doctor regularly.
Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing hepatitis B to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to HIV, or if you have untreated HIV or AIDS. Taking medicines to treat chronic hepatitis B can cause HIV infection to become resistant to the standard HIV and AIDS medications. You may need to be tested for HIV before you start taking adefovir.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking adefovir?
You should not take adefovir if you are allergic to it.
To make sure you can safely take adefovir, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to HIV, or if you have untreated HIV or AIDS. Taking medicines to treat chronic hepatitis B can cause HIV infection to become resistant to the standard HIV and AIDS medications. You may need to be tested for HIV before you start taking adefovir.
Some people develop a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking adefovir. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are overweight or have liver disease, if you are a woman, or if you have taken HIV or AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether adefovir will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.
It is not known whether adefovir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.