Hepsera Oral

In Depth

Generic Name: ADEFOVIR DIPIVOXIL - ORAL
Pronounced: (a-DEF-oh-vir dip-ih-VOX-il)

Hepsera Oral Warning

Severe worsening of hepatitis (rarely including death) has occurred when adefovir dipivoxil has been discontinued. When you are instructed to stop taking this medication, your doctor will monitor you closely for signs of worsening hepatitis. Be sure to keep all doctor and laboratory appointments after you stop taking this drug.

Infrequently, severe (sometimes fatal) liver and blood acid-base balance problems (lactic acidosis) have occurred while using a similar type of medication (nucleoside analogs such as didanosine or stavudine). Notify your doctor immediately if you develop unusual weakness or fatigue, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal or stomach pain, drowsiness, muscle aches or weakness, trouble breathing (e.g., rapid breathing or very shallow breathing), or fast or irregular heartbeat.

In patients with kidney disease, adefovir dipivoxil can cause kidney damage. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop a change in the amount of urine that you produce.

If you get or have HIV infection that is not being treated with medication, adefovir dipivoxil may cause your HIV infection to become untreatable with the usual HIV drugs (development of HIV resistance). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Hepsera Oral Side Effects

Weakness, headache, fever, increased cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or gas may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if this very unlikely but serious side effect occurs: