DIDANOSINE

Overview

DIDANOSINE is a Schedule H drug.

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 prevents the multiplication of HIV virus in human cells. Thus stops the HIV virus from producing new viruses. Didanosine belongs to a class of drugs called nucleoside analogues which work by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood.

Usage

DIDANOSINE is generally used to treat: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
DIDANOSINE can address symptoms like: Fever, Head Headache, Throat Soreness, Abdomen Upset Stomach, Loose Motion, Vomit

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it safe on my liver?
A: Not Safe

Q: Is it safe on my kidney?
A: Check with your Doctor first

Q: Can I take it with alcohol?
A: Not Safe

Q: Is it safe for children?
A: Not Advised for age < 1month

Q: Can it be taken during pregnancy?
A: Considered as Generally Safe – not enough studies to prove risk

How Do I Take It?

DIDANOSINE is generally taken Before Food.
Route of Administration: Oral

Precautions

• Take precautions while taking didanosine as it may cause conditions such as peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling and pain in arms and legs), changes in eye, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), changes in body fat distribution, osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue) and reoccurrence of symptoms from previous infections (Immune Reactivation Syndrome) or opportunistic infections (infections due to weakened immune system).
•  Seek for immediate medical attention if you develop a condition called as lactic acidosis (increased levels of lactic acid in blood), which can turn fatal if not treated; or if you observe any symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.
• Inform your doctor if you are suffering from or have a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), kidney or liver diseases (hepatitis B or C infections)Tell your doctor if you are or are planning to become pregnant. Didanosine if consumed in combination with stavudine during pregnancy may increase the chance of lactic acidosis.
• Patients who are taking didanosine along with ganciclovir, valganciclovir are more prone to side effects and hence require close supervision.
• 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.
• Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.Take didanosine on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal. Do not take with food.

Symptoms of Overdosage

DIDANOSINE over-dosage can result in: Difficulty Breathing

Common Side-Effects

DIDANOSINE : Vomiting, Stomach Pain, Diarrhoea, Pancreatitis, Headache, Pruritus, Neutropenia, Nausea, Abdomen Pain, Vomit, Hands Pain, Feet Pain, Hands Numbness

Serious Side-Effects

DIDANOSINE : Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Restless Or Irritability, Difficulty Sleeping, Vomit

Rare Side-Effects

DIDANOSINE : Seizure, Skin Rash, Itchy Skin, Anxiety, Hives, Chest Pain, Night Terrors, Constipation, Indigestion, Depression, Chills, Fever, Throat Soreness, Body Discoloration, Eyes Discoloration, Feet Swelling, Weakness (generalized), Head Headache

Food Interactions

• Food decreases the levels of didanosine in your body. Take didanosine on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal.
• The reverse transcriptase inhibitors, didanosine (ddI), zalcitabine (ddC), stavudine (d4T) and lamivudine (3TC), may cause pancreatitis.
• Avoid sodium rich food supplements.

Disease Interactions

DIDANOSINE can interfere with: Pancreatitis, Peripheral Neuropathy

Technical Classification

DIDANOSINE is categorized as: NUCLEOSIDE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITORS (NRTIS) / ANTIVIRAL AGENTS / ANTI-INFECTIVES

Storage Conditions

Room Temperature (Between 15 To 25 C)

Available Alternatives

Common Drugs with DIDANOSINE as Ingredient

DINEX EC 400MG TAB	DIDANOSINE 400.0 MG
DINEX-EC CAP 400MG	DIDANOSINE 400 MG
DINOSIN 100MG TAB	DIDANOSINE 100.0 MG
DINOSIN 250MG TAB	DIDANOSINE 250.0 MG
DINOSIN 400MG CAP	DIDANOSINE 400.0 MG
ODIVIR 300MG/250MG/600MG KIT	EFAVIRENZ 600.0 MG, LAMIVUDINE 300.0 MG, DIDANOSINE 250.0 MG
ODIVIR 300MG/400MG/600MG KIT	EFAVIRENZ 600.0 MG, DIDANOSINE 400.0 MG, LAMIVUDINE 300.0 MG