Telbivudine (Oral Route)

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Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood or urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine if you are also using pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®). Using these medicines together may increase your risk of having peripheral neuropathy.

Two rare but serious reactions to this medicine are lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood) and liver toxicity, which includes an enlarged liver. These are more common if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking anti-HIV medicines for a long time. Call your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms: abdominal or stomach discomfort or cramping; dark urine; decreased appetite; diarrhea; a general feeling of discomfort; light-colored stools; muscle cramping or pain; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; trouble with breathing; vomiting; or yellow eyes or skin.

If you have muscle aches, pain, tenderness, or weakness after using this medicine, call your doctor right away. These could be symptoms of a condition called myopathy.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you are having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

Hepatitis B infection may become worse if treatment with telbivudine is stopped. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

This medicine will not keep you from giving the hepatitis B virus to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has hepatitis B. The male partner should use a latex condom during sex. Do not share needles and personal items, such as toothbrushes or razor blades, that can have blood or body fluids on them with anyone.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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