Didanosine
Didanosine Information

About Didanosine

Didanosine is an oral antiretroviral agent, active against HIV infection. Didanosine is a synthetic purine derivativeand similar to stavudine, zidovudine, inhibits reverse transcriptase enzyme. Didanosine is used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs in the treatement of HIV infection and AIDS. It was approved in october 1991.

Indications

Didanosine is primarily indicated in conditions like HIV infection, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in HIV encephalopathy, HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs, Prophylaxis for accidental exposure to HIV.

Contraindication

Didanosine is contraindicated in conditions like Pancreatitis,Renal failure,Peripheral neuropathy,Liver diseases,Hypersensitivity.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Didanosine, which give rise to further complications include Hepatitis, Pancreatitis, Peripheral neuropathy, Myopathy, Retinotoxicity.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Didanosine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Abdominal pain, Rashes, Confusion, Hyperuricemia, Xerostomia, Hepatomegaly, Retinal hyperpigmentation, Lactic acidosis, Hepatic steatosis, Dry eye, Confusion.

Warnings

It should be used with caution in patient with impaired renal or hepatic function. Regular checks of liver function are recommended. If liver function deteriorates during treatment then didanosine should be withdrawn. Childrens and adults should be monitored for retinal lesions and didanosine should be withdrawn if they occur.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.