Adefovir

Description

Adefovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus infection. This medicine is not a cure for the Hepatitis B virus. It only prevents the virus from multiplying in your body. Close monitoring of kidney function is advised during treatment with this medicine. It is not recommended for use in children less than 12 years of age.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Adefovir

  • Weakness and general discomfort
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Yelllow eyes and skin
  • Light colored stools
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Increased thirst
  • Swelling of feet or lower legs
  • Abdominal and stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Belching
  • Diarrhea
  • Passing gas

Uses of Adefovir

What is it prescribed for?

  • Chronic Hepatitis B
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The time required for this medicine to show its effect is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The time until which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to adefovir or any other components present along with it.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings

Exacerbation of Hepatitis

Some patients may experience an acute exacerbation of hepatitis after discontinuation of Adefovir therapy. Close monitoring of liver function is advised for up to several months after discontinuation of therapy. Resumption of the therapy may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Renal dysfunction

Adefovir should be used with extreme caution in patients with renal disease due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Renal function should be assessed before initiating the treatment. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done based on the clinical condition of the patient.

HIV Resistance

This medicine should be used with caution due to the risk of HIV resistance in patients with unrecognized or untreated HIV infection. Patients should be screened for HIV antibodies before initiating treatment with this medicine.

Lactic Acidosis

This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of lactic acidosis. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate corrective measures and dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Missed Dose

If a dose of Adefovir is missed take it as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Cisplatin

Gentamicin

Aspirin

Diclofenac

Amikacin

Disease interactions

Renal Dysfunction

Adefovir should be used with extreme caution in patients with renal diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Renal function should be assessed before initiating the treatment. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Adefovir exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Ensure that proper hygiene measures are adopted. Complete the course of treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. Close monitoring of liver function and kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by stopping the hepatitis B virus (HBV) from multiplying in your body.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nrtis)

Schedule

Schedule H

Adefovir: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 22 August 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605024.html

DailyMed - ADEFOVIR DIPIVOXIL- adefovir dipivoxil tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 22 August 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e047f3b2-feae-4c5e-9d07-1fefb4c0ec25

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 22 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database

Adefovir Dipivoxil - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 22 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00718

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Information on this page was last updated on 6 Sep 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.