Adefovir (a-DEF-oh-veer) is used to treat adults with chronic infections of active hepatitis B.

The dose of adefovir will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of adefovir. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Blood in your urine
Sugar in your urine
Abdominal pain
Headache
Lack or loss of strength

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

When you are taking adefovir, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

Nephrotoxic medicines (medicines that can be harmful to your kidneys), such as:
Aminoglycosides (medicines used to treat infection) or
Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune or Neoral) or
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (medicines used to treat pain and inflammation) or
Tacrolimus (e.g. Prograf) or
Vancomycin (medicine used to treat severe infections)—Using these medicines with adefovir may cause you to have a higher chance of having problems with your kidneys.
Nucleoside analog medicines (other antiviral medicines), such as:
Abacavir (e.g. Ziagen) or
Abacavir, Lamivudine, and Zidovudine (e.g. Trizivir) or
Didanosine (e.g. Videx) or
Lamivudine (e.g. Epivir) or
Lamivudine and Zidovudine (e.g. Combivir) or
Stavudine (e.g. Zerit) or
Tenofovir (e.g. Viread) or
Zalcitabine (e.g. Hivid) or
Zidovudine (e.g. Retrovir)—Using these medicines with adefovir may cause you to have a higher chance of having problems with your liver or developing lactic acidosis.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of adefovir. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—It is important to talk to your doctor about the HIV virus before starting this medicine. Adefovir can make this condition worse.
Kidney problems—Adefovir can cause kidney problems and your doctor may want to change your dose.

Be sure that you notify your doctor immediately or get immediate medical attention if you notice abdominal discomfort or cramping, diarrhea, decreased appetite, discomfort, muscle cramping or pain, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called lactic acidosis.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Adefovir is not a cure for the hepatitis B virus, but it may lower the amount of hepatitis B virus in your body. It may also lower the ability of the virus to multiply in your body.

Store between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Keep the container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Notify your doctor immediately if you think that you may be pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Certain medications may cause birth defects or other problems in the baby if taken during pregnancy.

Notify your doctor immediately if there is a chance you were exposed to HIV.

Be sure to follow up with your doctor after you stop this medicine so that your doctor can watch your liver function.