Adefovir Dipivoxil

Antiviral, Systemic · Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

Indications

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults with compensated liver disease with evidence of ALT levels and histological evidence of active liver inflammation and fibrosis. Treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults with decompensated liver disease.

Dosage

Adults: 1 tab daily. Treatment duration, see literature. Children: Not recommended.

Adverse Effects

GI upset, asthaenia, abdominal pain, headache, raised serum creatinine levels, renal insufficiency, renal failure, rash, pruritus, hypophosphataemia.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Severe renal impairment (CrCl <30mL/min), dialysis. Precautions: Monitor patients every 6 months for hepatitis B biochemical, virological and serological markers to determine the treatment duration. Renal impairment. Monitor renal function every 3 months. Cirrhosis; monitor closely for hepatic decompensation. Monitor patients closely for several months after stopping therapy for acute exacerbations of hepatitis. Patients (particularly obese women) with hepatomegaly, hepatitis, other risk factors of liver disease; risk of lactic acidosis, sometimes fatal. Co-infection with hepatitis C or D or HIV. Elderly.

Interactions

Drugs excreted by or which affect renal tubular excretion, tenofovir.

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. Contact prescriber if there is blood in urine, easy bruising, dark stools, unrelieved nausea or vomiting, sore throat, chills, fever, burning urination, constant fatigue, flu-like symptoms, change in urinary pattern, muscle weakness. Take precautions to prevent spreading of infection to other persons. Frequent blood tests will be required to monitor condition. Avoid highly crowded places to prevent infection. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber.

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism: Prodrug; rapidly converted to active metabolite in intestine. Bioavailability: 59%. Half-life elimination: 7.5 hrs; prolonged in renal impairment. Time to peak: Median: 1.75 hrs. Excretion: Urine (45%). Dialysis: Approx. 35% of dose (10 mg) removed during 4 hrs haemodialysis session.

Brands with this active ingredient

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.