TELBIVUDINE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tyzeka

GENERIC NAME(S): TELBIVUDINE

Description: Telbivudine is a synthetic thymidine nucleoside analogue that stops the DNA replication of hepatitis B virus. It is used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Plasma levels peak 4-5 hr after a dose.

Distribution: Widely distributed into tissues. 3.3% bound to plasma proteins.

Metabolism: Undergoes phosphorylation by cellular enzymes to form active metabolite, telbivudine triphosphate.

Excretion: Mainly as unchanged drug in urine. Terminal elimination half-life: 40-49 hr.

Uses

Telbivudine is an antiviral that belongs to a class of drugs known as hepatitis B virus nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors used to treat long-term hepatitis B infection. Telbivudine helps to decrease the amount of hepatitis B virus in your body. Persistent infection can cause liver damage, rarely liver cancer, and liver failure. Telbivudine is not a cure for hepatitis B infection, and it does not prevent the spread of the virus.

How to use telbivudine

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.

Warnings

Rarely, telbivudine has caused severe (sometimes fatal) liver problems and a certain metabolic problem (lactic acidosis).

You may have a serious worsening of hepatitis symptoms if you stop taking this medication.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of these effects persist or worsen:

dizziness
tiredness
diarrhea
cough
headache

Tell your doctor immediately if unexplained muscle pain/tenderness/weakness occur.

Tell your doctor immediately 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.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions:

Allergic reaction to this medication
Patients with medical history of kidney problems or alcohol use
This drug may make you dizzy.
Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before having surgery
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding

Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions:

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.

Drugs that may affect the kidneys (including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen)may interact with this drug.

The combination of telbivudine with interferon products (such as peginterferon) to treat hepatitis may increase the risk of numbness/tingling of the arms/legs.

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 & Brands

Overdose:

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as liver tests, blood tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Brands:

Available Brands

Sebivo [ Novartis Healthcare ]