Didanosine

Didanosine is used with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Didanosine is in a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Didanosine works by slowing the spread of HIV in the body. Didanosine does not cure HIV infection and may not prevent you from developing HIV-related illnesses. Didanosine does not prevent you from spreading HIV to other people.

Didanosine comes as extended-release (long-acting) capsules and a solution (liquid) to be taken by mouth on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before or 2 hours after eating. The extended-release capsules are usually taken once a day. The liquid is usually taken once or twice a day. Try to take didanosine around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take didanosine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If you are using the extended-release capsules, swallow them whole; do not split, chew, crush, break, or dissolve them. Tell your doctor if you are unable to swallow the extended-release capsules whole. If you are using the solution, you should shake it well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Use a dose-measuring spoon or cup to measure the correct amount of liquid for each dose, not a regular household spoon. Didanosine controls HIV infection but does not cure it. Continue to take didanosine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking didanosine without talking to your doctor. If you miss doses or stop taking didanosine, your condition may become more difficult to treat.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Didanosine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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diarrhea</li>
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headache</li>
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muscle pain</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

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hives</li>
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skin rash</li>
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itching</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in hands or feet</li>
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blurred vision</li>
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difficulty in seeing colors clearly</li></ul>Didanosine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking didanosine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to didanosine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in didanosine capsules or solution. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor if you are taking allopurinol (Aloprim, Lopurin, Zyloprim) or ribavirin (Rebetol, Virazole). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take didanosine if you are taking one or both of these medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and the following: antacids: cimetidine (Tagamet), dapsone (Aczone), ganciclovir (Cytovene), hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), ranitidine (Zantac), tenofovir (Viread), or valganciclovir (Valcyte). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. you should know that some medications must be taken several hours before or after you take didanosine. If you are taking any of the following medications, ask your doctor exactly when you should take them: antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); atazanvir (Reyataz); delavirdine (Rescriptor); indinavir (Crixivan); nelfinavir (Viracept); quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gatifloxacin (Tequin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and ofloxacin (Floxin); ritonavir (Norvir); tetracycline antibiotics such as tetracycline (Sumycin) and tipranavir (Aptivus). tell your doctor if you have or have ever had peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, burning, or pain sensation in your hands or feet, or decreased ability to feel temperature or touch in your hands or feet). you should know that didanosine may cause side effects that must be treated right away before they become serious. Children who are taking didanosine may not be able to tell you about the side effects they are feeling. If you are giving didanosine to a child, ask the child's doctor how you can tell if the child is having these serious side effects. you should be aware that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body, such as your upper back, neck (''buffalo hump''), breasts, and around your stomach. You may notice a loss of body fat from your face, legs, and arms. you should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections. If you have new or worsening symptoms after starting treatment with didanosine, be sure to tell your doctor.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

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diarrhea</li>
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numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in hands or feet</li>
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nausea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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swelling of the stomach</li>
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muscle or joint pain</li>
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extreme tiredness</li>
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weakness</li>
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dizziness</li>
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lightheadedness</li>
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fast, slow or irregular heartbeat</li>
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deep or rapid breathing</li>
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shortness of breath</li>
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dark yellow or brown urine</li>
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unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
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vomiting a substance that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds</li>
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dark stools</li>
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yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
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feeling cold</li>
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fever</li>
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flu-like symptoms</li></ul>