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NAME
Didanosine, ddl |
BRAND
Videx & Videx EC |
CLASS
Nucleoside analog (also called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, NRTI or nuke) |
COST
$3,420/yr., $285/month |
STANDARD DOSE
One 400 mg eneteric coated (EC) capsule once a day, with adjustments for weight. Older form (buffered tablets) must be taken at least two at a time for adequate absorption. Also powder for oral solution. Strictly on an empty stomach (1/2 hour before or two hours after food or drink, except water) adult with kidney dysfunction require dose adjustment. Take missed dose as soon as possible. But do not double the dose. |
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Retinal changes, optic neuritis and peripheral neuropathy (tingling, burning, numbness or pain in the hands or feet, indicating nerve damage that is reversible but can be painful and permanently debilitating if not treated in time. Have periodic retinal exam. Headache, increased uric acids levels (indicating a number of disorders, including kidney damage and metabolic diseases.), and insomnia are other potential side effects. People with a history of peripheral neuropathy, pancreatic and heavy alcohol use should avoid Videx. Pancreatitis can be life threatening and is indicated by increased amylase and lipase levels in lab reports and pain in the stomach and back, along with nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine-risk increases with higher doses, advanced HIV, and alcohol use. Rare but potentially fatal toxicity with all NRTIs: pancreatitis (signs include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that often spreads to the chest and back); lactic acidosis (seen mostly in women, especially obese women; greater risk for people with underlying liver disease; signs include deep muscle fatigue, especially in legs and difficulty breathing) and enlarge, fatty liver (called heptamegaly with steatosis; check for tenderness below the ribs on right side.) |
POTENTIAL DRUG INTERACTIONS
Consider increasing Videx dose when taken with methadone (which lowers Videx blood levels by 41%). Videx/Hivid combination is not recommended because of its higher incidence of peripheral neuropathy. Antineoplatstics (anti-tumor treatment) such as AZT and hydroxyuera May increase risk of peripheral Neuropathy. Alcohol, cytovene, NebuPent, Zerit, and hydroxyuera may increase risk of pancreatitis. Also cytovense raises Videx levels by up to 65%. SShould not be taken with any Prescription antibiotic containing any form of tetracycline. Videx tablets should be taken on an empty stomach tow hours apart from protease inhibitors, Tagamet, Nizoral, Sporanox and dapsone, and one hour apart from Rescriptor, while Videx EC can be taken with them (still on an empty stomach.) |
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