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This page was prepared by E.V. Stankowski, RN, http://onlinestudyprograms.com

US Brand Names: Hepsera
Generic Names: Adefovir Dipivoxil
Drug Class: Antivirals, systemic

Hepsera is used in the treatment of Hepatitis B

Hepsera, What is this drug for? Centerwatch.com:"Hepsera (adefovir dipivoxil) was approved by the FDA in September 2002 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent elevations in serum aminotransferases (ALT or AST) or histologically active disease. Hepsera, available as an oral 10 mg tablet, is the first nucleotide analog to be approved for this indication."
Thomson CenterWatch
22 Thomson Place, 47F1
Boston, MA 02210-1212
Phone: 617-856-5900
Fax: 617-856-5901
customerservice@ahcpub.com
http://www.centerwatch.com
http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru797.html

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Adefovir dipivoxil, How should this medicine be used? Drugdigest.org:"Take adefovir tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets with a drink of water. If adefovir upsets your stomach, you can take it with food. Try to take your dose at the same time each day. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine except on your prescriber's advice. Children: Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed."
DrugDigest
Expresscripts.com
Burstyn, Lance
521 Alton Rd #208, Miami Beach, FL 33140, US
http://www.drugdigest.org/
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,3915,551492|Adefovir%2Bdipivoxil,00.html

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Hepsera, Directions of use, If I miss a dose, Drugstore.com:"Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food.

IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible that day. Do not take more than 1 dose per day. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once."
Drugstore.com
13920 SE Eastgate Way STE 300
Bellevue, WA 98005-4440 US
Phone: (425) 372 3200
Fax: (425) 881-8572
E-mail: administrator@drugstore.com
http://www.drugstore.com/
http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/prices/drugprice.asp?ndc=61958050101&trx=1Z5006

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Hepsera, What should I tell my health care provider? Center for Drug Evaluation and Research:"Tell your health care provider if: you are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you take Hepsera and you are pregnant, talk with your health care provider about how you can be on the Hepsera pregnancy registry. If you have kidney problems now or had them before. Your dose and schedule of Hepsera may be reduced. Blood test will be done regularly to see how your kidneys are working. Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect how Hepsera works, especially medicines that affect how your kidneys work."
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/default.htm

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Hepsera (Oral), Warnings when taking this medication, Healthdigest.org:"Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, HIV or AIDS, other liver disease such as cirrhosis, or have ever had kidney problems. Make sure your doctor knows 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. Using adefovir now may cause AIDS medicines to not work as well if you ever need them. Tell your doctor any time you think you have been exposed to HIV or AIDS. Do not stop using this medicine without asking your doctor, because your hepatitis may get worse. After stopping this medicine your doctor will need to check your progress for at least 12 weeks. Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. This medicine will not keep you from giving hepatitis B to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has hepatitis B. Do not share needles with anyone."
HealthDigest.org
210 Morgan Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone:+1.8007829200
Email:info@healthdigest.org
http://www.healthdigest.org
http://www.healthdigest.org/Hepsera-(Oral)_3938_PRO.php

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Adefovir, Drugs and Foods to Avoid, Healthtouch.com:"Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other medicines that may harm your kidneys, such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), an antibiotic (such as gentamicin, streptomycin, vancomycin, Garamycin®), or pain or arthritis medicine (such as diclofenac, etodolac, indomethacin, Daypro®, Dolobid®, Feldene®, Indocin®, Relafen®, Voltaren®)."
Health Touch.com
Cardinal Health, Inc.
7000 Cardinal Place
Dublin, Ohio 43017
US
Phone: 614-757-5014
Fax: 614-757-6014
http://www.healthtouch.com

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Adefovir (Systemic), Side Effects of This Medicine, Mayoclinic.com:"Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: More common: Blood in your urine. Less Common: Sugar in your urine. Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome. More Common: Abdominal pain; headache; lack or loss of strength. Less common: Acid or sour stomach; belching; bloated or full feeling; diarrhea; excess air or gas in stomach or intestines; heartburn or indigestion; nausea; passing gas; stomach discomfort, upset, or pain. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor."
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
200 1st St. S.W.
Rochester, MN 55905
comments@mayoclinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=E5B3C723-ACAB-49AA-8F766F3D6480038D

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Adefovir, Proper Storage—To store this medicine, Medlineplus.com:"Keep out of the reach of children. Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children."
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20894
Phone: (301) 496-6308 Fax: (301) 496-4450 email: publicinfo@nlm.nih.gov
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/500427.html

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Hepsera, Drug Interactions, Rxlist.com:"The following drugs may increase the possibility of kidney damage and should be avoided unless your doctor as instructed you to take them:
cyclosporine
tacrolimus
NSAID's (ibuprofen)
vancomycin
gentamycin
tobramycin
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking:
astemizole (Hismanal)
bepridil (Vascor)
cisapride (Propulsid)
ergot derivatives (Cafergot and others)
midazolam (Versed)
triazolam (Halcion).

Before you take this medicine talk to your health care provider if you are taking Viagra. You may be at risk for an increase in Viagra-related side effects such as low blood pressure, changes in vision, or penile erection lasting more than four hours. If you are taking a blood-thinning medication or you have low vitamin K, your doctor will decide if the amount of vitamin E in Agenerase interferes with your treatment. Do not take vitamin E supplements while being treated with Agenerase, because Agenerase contains vitamin E. Before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbs, with this medicine, talk to your health care provider about possible interactions. Talk to your health care provider if you smoke, drink caffein or alcohol, or use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works.This medication may interact with other drugs used to treat viral infections. Talk to your pharmacist or physician if you are taking this with other drugs."
WebMD
Attn: Office of Privacy
1175 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 2400
Atlanta, GA 30361
Or call: 866-788-3097
http://www.rxlist.com/
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/pharmclips2.cgi?keyword=%20Hepsera%AE

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Adefovir, What happens if I overdose? Webmd.com:"Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an adefovir overdose may include stomach upset or other gastrointestinal symptoms."
Web MD
669 River Drive
Center 2
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Phone: 201-703-3400
Fax: 201-703-3401
Sales Support: 1-877-GO-WEBMD
http://my.webmd.com
http://my.webmd.com/hw/drug_data/d04814a1.asp

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