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Adefovir
💊 Adefovir dipivoxil should not normally be given before the person has had lamivudine treatment. It may be given on its own or with lamivudine when:
- Hepatitis B virus has become resistant to lamivudine, OR
- The virus is likely to become resistant to lamivudine quickly, with risk of serious liver disease.
📖 About
Always check the BNF link here for up-to-date prescribing information.
- Nucleotide analogue used in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis B infection.
- Structurally related to the purine base adenine.
⚙️ Mode of Action
- Converted intracellularly to the diphosphate form.
- Acts by inhibiting hepatitis B virus DNA synthesis via competition for reverse transcriptase and incorporation into viral DNA.
- Not well absorbed orally, so given as the prodrug adefovir dipivoxil.
🎯 Indications
- Chronic Hepatitis B (in patients with lamivudine resistance, relapse, or intolerance to interferon-based therapies).
💊 Dose
- Chronic Hepatitis B: 10 mg once daily (PO), in patients with normal renal function.
📑 Guidance (NICE)
- For adults with chronic hepatitis B where:
- Interferon/peginterferon treatment has not worked, or relapse occurred.
- Patient cannot tolerate interferon-based therapy.
- Severe side effects developed from prior treatment.
🔄 Interactions
- No significant interactions reported.
⚠️ Cautions
- Adjust dose in renal impairment.
- Nephrotoxicity may occur.
🚫 Contraindications
- Breastfeeding.
🤒 Side Effects
- GI upset: nausea, flatulence, diarrhoea, dyspepsia.
- Rash, headache, hypophosphataemia.
- Serious: lactic acidosis, hepatitis, renal failure.
- Severe hepatomegaly with steatosis (rare).
📚 References
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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