About adefovir dipivoxil
Antiviral nucleotide analogue
Used for
- Treats chronic hepatitis B in adults and children aged 12 years and older.
Usual adult dose
10 mg by mouth once daily.
Usual dose in children
Ages 12–17: 10 mg by mouth once daily; not established for younger children.
Common side effects
- Weakness or headache
- Stomach discomfort, nausea, or diarrhoea
- Kidney problems
- Rare severe lactic acidosis or liver enlargement
Important warnings
- Can harm the kidneys; kidney function monitoring may be needed.
- Stopping treatment can cause hepatitis B to flare or worsen.
- Not a cure; hepatitis B can still spread to others.
- Seek urgent care for severe weakness, breathing difficulty, or abdominal swelling.
Pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited; discuss risks and benefits with a clinician.
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether adefovir passes into breast milk; discuss with a clinician.
Interactions
- Medicines that can damage the kidneys may increase kidney-related risks.
- Tenofovir or other medicines affecting kidney function require careful review.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.