Medications and Drugs

AIDS Retrospective Slideshow

GENERIC NAME: DIDANOSINE (DDI) - ORAL SOLUTION (dye-DAN-oh-seen)

BRAND NAME(S): Videx, Videx

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

WARNING: Infrequently, didanosine can cause severe (sometimes fatal) side effects such as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), blood problems (lactic acidosis) or liver problems. Fatal lactic acidosis has also occurred during pregnancy when this medication was used in combination with stavudine and other drugs used to treat HIV. Stop using this drug and notify your doctor immediately if you develop stomach or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, rapid breathing, dizziness, feeling cold (low body temperature), yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine. Your doctor must determine whether or not you have pancreatitis before re-starting didanosine.

USES: Didanosine stops the growth of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to help fight AIDS. This medication is not a cure for AIDS nor does it prevent the passing of HIV to others. One group of HIV medications (the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs such as zidovudine and lamivudine) are very useful. However, NRTIs are recommended to be used in combination with other groups of HIV medications in order to be effective. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

HOW TO USE: Use this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. It is important to use this medicine on an empty stomach. Your pharmacist has already mixed this medication with an appropriate antacid suspension. Shake well before using. Do not mix with fruit juice or carbonated drinks. Do not use a household spoon to measure the dose. Instead, use a medication spoon or cup.