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

What drug didanosine?

What is didanosine for?

Didanosine is a drug used with other HIV drugs to help control HIV. This helps to reduce the amount of HIV virus in your body so that your immune system can work better.

This medicine will lower your risk for HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improve your quality of life. Didanosine belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs.

Didanosine is not a drug to cure HIV. To reduce the risk of spreading HIV disease to others, do all of the following:

• continue to take all HIV medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor
• always use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms or dental dams) during sexual activity,
• not sharing personal items (such as needles or syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have been in contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This drug can also be used in combination with other HIV drugs to reduce the risk of getting HIV infection after contact with the virus. Consult your doctor for more details.

Didanosine dosage

How do I use didanosine?

Didanosine is a medicine that is taken 1-2 times a day on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal, or as directed by your doctor. Shake the bottle well before measuring each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a measuring device or a special spoon. Don't use a household spoon as you may not get the correct dose.

Didanosine is a soluble drug that your pharmacist mixes with an antacid to form a suspension. Antacids can interfere with your body's ability to absorb certain medications, especially if you are taking them at the same time. These drugs include quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), tetracycline antibiotics (such as doxycycline, minocycline), levodopa, thyroid drugs (such as aslevothyroxine), azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole), and drugs such as forendronateoporosis).

Consult with your pharmacist how long you should wait between doses of other drugs and didanosine solutions. Do not take antacids or acid-lowering drugs (such as cimetidine, omeprazole, ranitidine) with this product without consulting your doctor first.

Dosage is based on body weight, medical condition, and response to treatment. It is very important to continue taking this drug (and other HIV medicines) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Don't miss any doses. Do not increase your dose, take this drug more often than recommended, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) for even a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing doses without a doctor's approval can cause the viral load to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (immune to), or worsen side effects.

Didanosine is a drug that works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at even intervals. You need to remember, to eat it the same time every day.

How do I store didanosine?

Didanosine 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.

Didanosine side effects

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of didanosine for adults?

For HIV-infected adults, the dose of the drug didanosine is:

Delayed release capsule:

Less than 60 kg: 250 mg orally once daily

60 kg or more: 400 mg orally once daily

Drinking solution:

Less than 60 kg: 125 mg orally twice daily

60 kg or more: 200 mg taken twice daily

For patients who require a once daily dose:

Less than 60 kg: 250 mg orally once daily

60 kg or more: 400 mg orally once daily

For adults with nonoccupational exposure, the dose of the drug didanosine is

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendations:

Delayed release capsule:

Less than 60 kg: 250 mg orally once daily

60 kg or more: 400 mg orally once daily

Ready-to-drink solution:

Less than 60 kg: 125 mg orally twice daily

60 kg or more: 200 mg taken twice daily

For patients who require a once daily dose:

Less than 60 kg: 250 mg orally once daily

60 kg or more: 400 mg orally once daily

Duration: 28 days

Prophylaxis should be started as soon as possible, within 72 hours of exposure. In general, the recommended alternative regimens for post-exposure nonoccupational HIV prophylaxis include didanosine as part of a protease inhibitor (PI) based regimen.

What is the dose of didanosine for children?

For HIV-infected children, the dose of didanosine is:

Delayed release capsule:

20 to less than 25 kg: 200 mg orally once daily

25 to less than 60 kg: 250 mg orally once daily

60 kg or more: 400 mg orally once daily

Oral solution:

2 weeks to 8 months: 100 mg / m2 orally twice daily

9 months to 18 years: 120 mg / m2 orally twice a day; should not exceed the adult dosage

In what dosage is didanosine available?

Didanocenes are drugs that are available in the following preparations:

200 mg: Two pieces of hard gelatin capsule with green opaque cap and opaque white body filled with white pellets. Imprinted with black barr ink more than 200 mg on one part and 588 on another.

250 mg: Two pieces of hard gelatin capsule with a blue frosted cap and an opaque white body filled with white pellets. Printed with black barr ink more than 250 mg on one part and 589 on another.

400 mg: Two pieces of hard gelatin capsule with red opaque cap and opaque white body filled with white pellets. Printed with black barr ink over 400 mg on one part and 590 on another.

The solution is dissolved, drunk:

Videx: 2 g (100 mL), 4 g (200 mL)

Didanosine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What side effects can be experienced due to didanosine?

Didanosine is a drug that can cause side effects. Common side effects include headache or diarrhea.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives; hard to breath; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Didanosine is a drug that can cause lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic acid in the body, which can be fatal). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and get worse over time. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as:

• muscle pain or weakness
• numbness or coldness in the arms and legs
• difficulty breathing
• feeling lightheaded, dizzy, tired, or very weak
• stomach pain, nausea with vomiting
• fast or uneven heart rate.

Stop using didanosine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• signs of a new infection such as flu symptoms, easy bruising or unusual bleeding, loss of appetite, mouth sores
• severe pain in the upper abdomen spreading to the back, nausea and vomiting
• itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• swelling around your stomach, feeling full, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood
• numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet
• pain in one or both eyes, vision problems, seeing flashes of light
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, feeling, fast heartbeat, dizziness, difficulty concentrating
• increased sweating, tremors in your hands, anxiety, feelings of irritability, sleep problems (insomnia);
• diarrhea, rapid weight loss, menstrual changes, impotence, loss of desire for sex
• swelling in the neck or throat (enlarged thyroid)
• weakness or a feeling of pins and needles in the fingers or toes
• problems with walking, breathing, speaking, swallowing, or eye movements
• severe back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control

Less serious side effects of the drug didanosine include:

• mild skin rash
• diarrhea
• headache
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, chest, and waist)

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Didanosine Drug Interactions

What should be known before using didanosine?

Didanosine is a drug whose use must be under the supervision of a doctor. Before taking didanosine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to didanosine, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in didanosine capsules or solutions. Ask the pharmacist or see the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients.

Tell your doctor if you are taking allopurinol (Aloprim, Lopurin, Zyloprim) or ribavirin (Rebetol, Virazole). Your doctor may tell you not to take didanosine if you are taking one or both of these medications.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or planning to take. Be sure to mention one of the drugs listed in the following IMPORTANT WARNING section: antacids: cimetidine (Tagamet), dapsone (Aczone), ganciclovir (Cytovene), HU (Droxia, Hydrea), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), ranitidine (Zantac), tenofovir (), or valganciclovir (Valcyte). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or painful sensations in hands or feet, or decreased ability to feel temperature or touch in hands or feet).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking didanosine, contact your doctor. You do not have to breastfeed if you are infected with HIV or are taking didanosine.

You should know that didanosine is a drug that can cause side effects that must be treated immediately before they become serious. Children taking didanosine may not be able to tell you about any side effects they are having. If you are giving didanosine to a child, ask your pediatrician how you can tell if your child is experiencing serious side effects.

You should be aware that your body fat can increase or move to different areas of your body, such as your upper back, neck, breasts, and around your stomach. You may notice a loss of body fat from your face, legs and arms.

You should know that when you take drugs to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and start fighting other infections that are already in your body. This can cause you to develop symptoms of the infection. If you have new or worsening symptoms after starting treatment with didanosine, be sure to tell your doctor.

Is didanosine safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding 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 according to the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in America.

Following are references to pregnancy risk categories according to the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in America:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

There are not sufficient studies in women to find out the risk to the baby when the mother takes this drug during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Didanosine overdose

What medicines may interact with didanosine?

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.

• Allopurinol
• Ribavirin

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• HU
• Stavudine
• tenofovir
• Zalcitabine

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take these drugs Atazanavir

• Atazanavir
• Atevirdine
• Ciprofloxacin
• Delavirdine
• Enoxacin
• Ganciclovir
• Indinavir
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Lomefloxacin
• Methadone
• Metoclopramide
• Moxifloxacin
• Nelfinavir
• Norfloxacin
• Ofloxacin
• Ranitidine
• Rifabutin
• Ritonavir
• Sulfamethoxazole
• Trimethoprim
• Trovafloxacin Mesylate
• Valganciclovir

Can food or alcohol interact with didanosine?

Didanosine is a drug that can react with other drugs. 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 interact with didanosine?

Didanosine is a drug that can have an effect if you have certain health conditions. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol use, active or historical
• liver disease (including hepatitis)
• obesity (overweight)

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Possible overdose symptoms include the following:

• diarrhea
• numbness, tingling, burning sensation, or pain in hands or feet
• nausea
• gag
• loss of appetite
• stomach ache
• swelling of the stomach
• muscle pain or joint pain
• extreme fatigue
• weakness
• dizzy
• light
• fast, slow or irregular heart rate
• deep or rapid breathing
• hard to breathe
• dark yellow or brown urine
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• vomiting substance that bleeds or looks like coffee grounds
• dark stools
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• feeling cold
• fever
• flu-like symptoms

What should I do if I miss a dose?

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 advice, diagnosis or treatment.