Telbivudine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug is Telbivudine?

What is Telbivudine used for?

Telbivudine is a drug to treat long-term hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Persistent infection can cause liver damage, rare liver cancer, and liver failure. Telbivudine helps to reduce the amount of the hepatitis B virus in your body. This drug 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 cannot prevent the spread of the virus to other people through sexual contact or blood contamination (such as the use of rotating needles).

What are the rules for using the drug Telbivudine?

Read the drug's guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by the pharmacy, if available, before you get this medication and each time you buy again. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist

Take this medication 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 highly recommended to take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don't miss any doses.

This drug works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this medication at equal intervals. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

How do I save Telbivudine?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Telbivudine dosage

What should be considered before using the drug Telbivudine?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

Appropriate studies have not been carried out on the relationship of age to the effects of Telbivudine in children. Safety and efficacy have not been determined.

Elderly

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of Telbivudine have not been carried out in the elderly, specific geriatric issues are not expected to limit the usefulness of Telbivudine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving Telbivudine.

Is Telbivudine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or nursing women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B. (A = No risk, B = No risk in some studies, C = Possible risk, D = There is positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = unknown)

Telbivudine side effects

What are the possible side effects of Telbivudine?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

This medicine can cause lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the body, which can be fatal). Lactic acidosis appears slowly and can worsen over time. Seek medical help immediately, if you have symptoms of lactic acidosis, even if they are mild, such as:

• Muscle pain or weakness
• Numbness or coldness in the hands and feet
• Difficulty breathing
• Feel dizzy, lightheaded, tired, or very weak
• Stomach pain, nausea along with vomiting
• Fast or irregular heartbeat

Call your doctor at once if you have other serious side effects, such as:

• Muscle pain, or weakness (can occur weeks or months after you start taking telbivudine)
• Fever or flu symptoms, and dark urine
• The arms and legs feel burning, sore or tingling
• Liver symptoms - nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects include:

• Cough, sore throat
• Headache, body feels tired
• Dizzy
• Muscle ache
• Mild fever
• Flatulence, mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Mild skin rash or itchy skin
• Joint pain, back pain or
• Sleep disturbance (insomnia)

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Telbivudine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Telbivudine?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this medicine to you or will replace some of the drugs you are already taking.

• Peginterferon Alfa-2a

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the action of the drug Telbivudine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Telbivudine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Kidney disease - Use with caution. The impact may be increased due to the slow breakdown of the drug from the body.
• Myopathy (muscle pain, pain, or weakness) or
• Peripheral Neuropathy (Numbness, tingling) Use with caution. Maybe it can make the condition worse.

Telbivudine Drug Interactions

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of Telbivudine for adults?

600 mg orally once a day

What is the dosage of Telbivudine for children?

16 years and over: 600 mg orally once a day

In what dosages and preparations is Telbivudine available?

Tablets: 600 mg

Solution: 100 mg / 5 ml

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.