Hepsera (Adefovir Dipivoxil)

What is Hepsera?

Hepsera (adefovir dipivoxil) is an acyclic nucleotide analog.

What is Hepsera used for?

Hepsera is used to treat chronic hepatitis B infection (liver infection) in adults and children aged 12 years and above. However, the medicine is not a cure for hepatitis B and does not prevent the passing of this virus to others.

How does Hepsera work?

Hepsera works by keeping the viral cells from reproducing in the body and affecting new liver cells.

How to use Hepsera

Hepsera should be taken in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking it for longer periods or in larger amounts than recommended can cause health problems.

The medicine is usually taken once daily, with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Remember to take the medicine at the same time each day.

Get your blood, kidney and liver function tested on a regular basis.

Hepsera warnings and precautions

Do not take Hepsera if you are allergic to adefovir, or if you have liver or kidney disease.

Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors, needles, or toothbrushes. Inform your doctor if you have been exposed to HIV. Get yourself tested for HIV before starting to take this medicine.

Pregnant women should not use Hepsera without consulting their doctors as this medication may cause harm to an unborn baby. If you plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor in advance about the use of Hepsera. Also tell him if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known if the drug passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Therefore, lactating women must consult their doctors before starting to take Hepsera.

What do I do if I have missed a Hepsera dose?

If you have missed your Hepsera dose, you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember but do not take it if it is time for your next (scheduled) dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Hepsera overdose?

If you have taken a Hepsera overdose, you should seek emergency medical attention.

Hepsera interactions

Before taking Hepsera, consult your doctor if you take pentamidine (Pentam, Nebupent); amphotericin B (AmBisome, Amphotec, Fungizone, Abelcet); antiviral medications such as cidofovir (Vistide), acyclovir (Zovirax), or foscarnet (Foscavir); antibiotics such as rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, Rifater), capreomycin (Capastat), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled); cancer medication such as ifosfamide (Ifex), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), aldesleukin (Proleukin), streptozocin (Zanosar), cisplatin (Platinol), plicamycin (Mithracin), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), or tretinoin (Vesanoid); medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as sirolimus (Rapamune), cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune), or tacrolimus (Prograf); HIV medications such as didanosine (Videx), abacavir (Ziagen), efavirenz (Sustiva), tenofovir (Viread), lamivudine (Epivir), zidovudine (Retrovir), emtricitabine (Emtriva), stavudine (Zerit), zalcitabine (Hivid), or combinations such as Combivir, Atripla, Triz

Hepsera side effects

Hepsera side effects include hives, fever, muscle pain, weakness, numbness or cold feeling in legs or arms, breathing trouble, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, fainting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, decreased urination, clay-colored stools, jaundice; swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat; and other allergic reactions. If you get any of these side effects or even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis after using Hepsera, contact your doctor right away.

Headache, mild skin rash or itching, gas, diarrhea, mild nausea and vomiting are some less serious side effects of Hepsera.