TELBIVUDINE - ORAL

TELBIVUDINE - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (tel-BI-vyoo-deen)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tyzeka

GENERIC NAME(S): telbivudine

Uses

USES: Telbivudine is used to treat long-term hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. Persistent infection can cause liver damage, rarely liver cancer, and liver failure. Telbivudine helps to decrease the amount of hepatitis B virus in your body. It is an antiviral that belongs to a class of drugs known as hepatitis B virus nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Telbivudine is not a cure for hepatitis B infection, and it does not prevent the spread of the virus to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (such as sharing used needles).


How to use TELBIVUDINE - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking telbivudine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition, kidney function, and response to treatment. It is very important to continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, tiredness, diarrhea, cough, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: unexplained muscle pain/tenderness/weakness. Rarely, telbivudine may cause severe liver problems and buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis). These serious side effects may occur more often in women and obese patients. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following serious side effects: symptoms of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), symptoms of lactic acidosis (such as deep/rapid breathing, drowsiness, nausea/vomiting). Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: numbness/tingling/burning or weakness/pain of arms/legs, difficulty walking, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking telbivudine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, alcohol use. This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol may also worsen liver problems. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). To decrease your risk of spreading hepatitis B to others, always use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during all sexual activity. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not known if this medication helps to prevent the hepatitis B virus from passing from the mother to the baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. The manufacturer states that breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring. To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: drugs that may affect the kidneys (including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen). The combination of telbivudine with interferon products (such as peginterferon) to treat hepatitis may increase the risk of numbness/tingling of the arms/legs. Consult your doctor for more details. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

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Faq for TELBIVUDINE - ORAL

Telbivudine is an oral medication that is used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus infection in patients who have active viral replication, liver inflammation, and evidence of liver damage.

Telbivudine works by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is necessary for the replication of hepatitis B virus. By blocking this enzyme, Telbivudine reduces the amount of virus in the body and helps prevent further damage to the liver.

The common side effects of Telbivudine include headache, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and changes in taste. Some patients may also experience muscle pain, joint pain, or skin rash. It is important to notify your doctor if you experience any severe or persistent side effects.

Telbivudine is usually taken once daily, with or without food. It is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Telbivudine without consulting your healthcare provider, as this can result in the return of hepatitis B infection.

Telbivudine is not a cure for hepatitis B, but it can help control the infection and prevent further liver damage. It is important to continue taking Telbivudine as prescribed, even if you feel well, to effectively manage your hepatitis B infection.

Certain medications, such as interferon, ribavirin, and lamivudine, may interact with Telbivudine and affect its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. Inform your doctor about all the medications you are currently taking to ensure their safe use with Telbivudine.

Telbivudine should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before starting Telbivudine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

The duration of Telbivudine treatment may vary based on individual patient factors and the severity of the hepatitis B infection. It is important to follow your doctor's prescribed treatment plan and adhere to regular follow-up appointments to monitor your condition.

Telbivudine is generally not recommended for use in children below the age of 16 years. However, in certain cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe Telbivudine for pediatric patients based on specific clinical considerations.


Warning

WARNING: You may have a serious worsening of hepatitis symptoms if you stop taking this medication. Talk with your doctor before stopping this medication. Your doctor will monitor liver tests for several months after you stop telbivudine. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of worsening liver problems (see Side Effects section).


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.