Adefovir is a drug used to treat chronic hepatitis B. This medicine can be used by adults and children 12 years of age and older.
Adefovir works by lowering the amount of the hepatitis B virus in the body. This drug can not eliminate the hepatitis B virus or prevent complications from this disease. In addition, adefovir also cannot prevent the spread of the hepatitis B virus to other people.
adefovir trademark: Hepsera
What is Adefovir
| group | Antiviral drugs |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Treating chronic hepatitis B |
| Used by | Adults and children 12 years old |
| Adefovir for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether adefovir is absorbed in breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Shape | Tablet |
Precautions Before Taking Adefovir
Adefovir should not be used carelessly. Before taking adefovir, you need to pay attention to the following:
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking tenofovir. Adefovir should not be used in patients taking tenofovir.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from kidney disease, high blood pressure, other liver disease, or diabetes.
- Tell your doctor if you are on hemodialysis.
- Tell your doctor if you have HIV/AIDS and have not had treatment before.
- Adefovir can cause lactic acidosis. Immediately see a doctor if you feel symptoms such as muscle pain, difficulty breathing, and abdominal pain.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction or overdose after taking adefovir.
Adefovir Dosage and Use Rules
Adefovir should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. The dose of adefovir for adults and children aged 12 years and over is 10 mg once a day. Do not stop treatment without a doctor's advice.
During treatment with adefovir, your doctor will ask you to have your liver function checked regularly. It is necessary to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
How to Take Adefovir Correctly
Follow the doctor's advice and read the instructions listed on the medicine package. Make sure you take adefovir at the same time every day for best results.
If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember, if the distance from the next schedule of taking medicine is not too close. If it is close, ignore the missed dose and do not double it in the next dose.
Do not stop taking adefovir without your doctor's advice. While using this drug, do regular check-ups with your doctor so that your health condition can be monitored.
Store adefovir at room temperature. Do not store this medicine in a humid place or in direct sunlight. Keep adefovir out of the reach of children.
Adefovir Interactions with Other Drugs
Taking adefovir with other medicines can cause interactions such as:
- Increased risk of kidney damage if used with aminoglycosides, tenofovir, NSAIDs, ciclosporin, cidovovir, acyclovir, or tacrolimus
- Increased levels of entecavir in the blood
Adefovir Side Effects and Dangers
Some of the side effects that can occur when taking adefovir are:
- Headache
- Weak
- Diarrhea
- bloating
- Sore throat
- Have a cold
Consult a doctor if the above side effects do not improve. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction or serious symptoms, such as:
- Recurrence of hepatitis
- Lactic acidosis
- Hematuria
