Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Hepsera

Generic Name: adefovir (Pronunciation: a DEF o veer)

• What is adefovir (Hepsera)?
• What are the possible side effects of adefovir (Hepsera)?
• What is the most important information I should know about adefovir (Hepsera)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking adefovir (Hepsera)?
• How should I take adefovir (Hepsera)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Hepsera)?
• What happens if I overdose (Hepsera)?
• What should I avoid while taking adefovir (Hepsera)?
• What other drugs will affect adefovir (Hepsera)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is adefovir (Hepsera)?

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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Hepsera 10 mg

round, white, imprinted with GILEAD 10, LOGO

What are the possible side effects of adefovir (Hepsera)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (may occur several weeks or months after you start taking adefovir);
• numbness or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, and feeling light-headed or fainting; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or stomach pain;
• mild skin rash or itching;
• weakness; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about adefovir (Hepsera)?

This medication may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and gradually get worse. Symptoms include unusual muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal.

Adefovir can also cause serious kidney problems, especially if you have kidney disease or take certain medications.

Your liver symptoms may become severe after you stop taking adefovir, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function on a regular basis for several months after you stop taking adefovir. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking adefovir will not prevent you from passing hepatitis B to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing hepatitis transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. 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.