Common adverse reactions of telbividune that can be confused with an acute porphyric attack are diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal pains. These side effects may potentially be porphyrinogenic if leading to a decrease in carbohydrate intake.

Telbivudine is not metabolized by CYP450 enzymes and is not an inducer or mechanism-based inhibitor of CYP450 enzymes. No pharmacokinetic porphyrinogenic effects are suspected.

Synthetic thymidine nucleoside analogue

Telbivudine is used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adult patients with evidence of viral replication, and either evidence of persistent elevations in serum aminotransferases (ALT or AST) or histologically active disease. It is administered orally.

Telmivudine is not a substrate, inhibitor or inducer of CYP450 enzymes (SPC). It is eliminated primarily by urinary secretion of unchanged drug (Lui 2008).