Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: DIDANOSINE (di-DAN-oe-seen)
This medicine is a nucleoside analog antiviral used along with other medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.
WARNING: Didanosine can cause severe, even fatal, side effects such as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), blood problems (lactic acidosis) or liver problems. Fatal lactic acidosis has also occurred during pregnancy when this medicine was used in combination with stavudine and other drugs used to treat HIV. Stop using this drug and notify your doctor immediately if you develop stomach or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, rapid breathing, dizziness, feeling cold (low body temperature), yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine. Your doctor must determine whether or not you have pancreatitis before re-starting didanosine. Though you are being treated for HIV infection, you may continue to develop problems because of a decrease in your body's ability to fight infections. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking allopurinol. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking quinolone antibiotics, tenofovir, ribavirin, or methadone. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including a history of heart problems (such as heart attack), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of pancreatitis. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. SHAKE WELL before taking a dose. Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure this dose. TAKE THIS MEDICINE on an empty stomach. This solution must be stored in a tightly-closed container in the refrigerator. Do not keep it for longer than 30 days. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. It is important not to miss doses of this medicine. DO NOT TAKE 2 doses at once.
KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while you are using this medicine. This medicine will not prevent you from spreading your infection through sexual contact or blood contact. It is necessary to continue using methods to prevent spreading your infection. If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. PHENYLKETONURICS: this medicine contains phenylalanine. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS DRUG IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea, headache, rash, muscle pain, or dry mouth. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience tingling, burning, or numbness in hands or feet; seizures; confusion; fever or chills; fast, shallow breathing; severe muscle pain or cramping; feeling cold, dizzy, or lightheaded; slow or irregular heartbeat; weakness or exhaustion; or changes in vision. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain or discomfort, fainting, severe dizziness, shortness of breath, numbness of an arm or leg, sudden vision changes, sudden onset of severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medicine (e.g., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include tingling, burning, or numbness in hands or feet; diarrhea; yellowing of skin or eyes; dark urine or pale stools; unusual fatigue; or severe stomach pain with nausea or vomiting.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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