Hepsera

Hepsera is an antiviral medicine used to treat chronic hepatitis B in adults and children who are at least 12 years old. This medicine does not cure chronic hepatitis B.

Hepsera may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as instructed.

Take the medicine at the same time every day, with or without food.

Do not change your dose or stop using Hepsera without your doctor's guidance.

You will need regular medical tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet or canister of moisture-absorbing preservative.

Hepatitis B may become active or worsen in the months after you stop using Hepsera. You may need regular liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after your last dose.

You may need to get tested for HIV before you start taking Hepsera. Let your doctor know if you have been exposed to HIV, or if you have untreated HIV or AIDS.

Call your doctor right away if you have liver symptoms like pain in the upper right side of your stomach, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Hepsera can harm your kidneys, especially if you already have kidney problems or take certain medicines.

You may develop lactic acidosis, which is a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Hepatitis B may become active or worsen after you stop using Hepsera. You might need regular liver function tests for several months.

You should not take Hepsera if you are allergic to it.

You should not take Hepsera if you also take medicine that contains tenofovir (Atripla, Biktarvy, Cimduo, Complera, Delstrigo, Descovy, Genvoya, Stribild, Symfi, Truvada, or Viread).

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or if you are on dialysis.

Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to HIV, or if you have untreated HIV or AIDS. Taking medicines to treat chronic hepatitis B can cause HIV infection to become resistant to the standard HIV and AIDS medications. You may need to be tested for HIV before you start taking Hepsera.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you've taken antiviral medication for a long time, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of adefovir on the baby.

Hepsera is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may get worse over time, and this condition can be life-threatening. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Hepsera may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or
• liver problems--nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Hepsera may include:

• stomach pain, nausea;
• weakness; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you completely run out of medicine.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Using Hepsera will not stop your disease from spreading. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Hepsera can damage your kidneys, especially if you also take certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, preventing organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Other medications may influence how Hepsera works, including both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any new medicine you begin or stop using.