Didanosine
Generic name: didanosine [ dye-DAN-oh-seen ]
Brand names: Videx, Videx EC
Dosage forms: oral delayed release capsule (125 mg; 200 mg; 250 mg; 400 mg); oral powder for reconstitution (10 mg/mL)
Drug class:Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
What is didanosine?
Didanosine is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.
Didanosine is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Didanosine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Didanosine is for use in adults and children who are at least 2 weeks old.
Didanosine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Do not take didanosine together with allopurinol, ribavirin, or stavudine.
You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.
didanosine can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe pain in your upper stomach (may spread to your back), nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Before taking this medicine
You should not use didanosine if you are allergic to it. Do not take didanosine together with allopurinol, ribavirin, or stavudine.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease or pancreatitis (didanosine can cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas);
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, including Raynaud's syndrome; or
if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you've taken HIV medication for a long time, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a registry to track any ef...
