Drug Notes - Adefovir dipivoxil (By mouth) | Lima Memorial Health System

Adefovir dipivoxil (By mouth)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to adefovir.

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
It is important that you do not miss any doses of this medicine. Contact your doctor or pharmacy when your supply of this medicine runs low. Do not allow yourself to run out of this medicine.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

You should not use this medicine if you also use tenofovir (Viread®) or medicines that contain tenofovir (such as Atripla®, Complera®, Stribild, or Truvada®).
Make sure your doctor knows if you also use cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), an antibiotic (such as amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, vancomycin, Garamycin®, Vancocin®), or an NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Voltaren®).

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease, HIV or AIDS, or other liver disease such as cirrhosis. Tell your doctor if you have had a liver transplant.
You may need to have a test for HIV/AIDS before you start using this medicine. Adefovir is related to medicines used to treat AIDS. AIDS medicines may not work if you have used adefovir. Tell your doctor any time you think you have been exposed to HIV or AIDS.
Call your doctor right away if you feel very tired, weak, or nauseated, if you vomit or have trouble breathing, or if your skin or eyes turn yellow. These may be symptoms of lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood) and an enlarged liver, which are rare but serious reactions to this medicine.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
This medicine will not keep you from giving hepatitis B to your partner during sex. Make sure you practice safe sex, even if your partner also has hepatitis B. Do not share needles with anyone.

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate
Dark-colored urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach, yellow skin or eyes
Muscle pain or cramping
Severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and fever
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Unusual weakness or tiredness

Last Updated: 9/6/2024