Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Videx, Videx EC

Generic Name: didanosine (Pronunciation: dye DAN oh seen)

• What is didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?
• What are the possible side effects of didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?
• What is the most important information I should know about didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?
• How should I take didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Videx, Videx EC)?
• What happens if I overdose (Videx, Videx EC)?
• What should I avoid while taking didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?
• What other drugs will affect didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?

Didanosine is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Didanosine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Didanosine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Didanosine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Didanosine 200 mg-BAR

green/white, imprinted with barr 200mg, 588

Didanosine 250 mg-BAR

blue/white, imprinted with barr 250mg, 589

Didanosine 400 mg-BAR

red/white, imprinted with barr 400mg, 590

Videx EC 250 mg

white, imprinted with BMS 250MG, 6673

Videx EC 400 mg

white, imprinted with BMS 400mg, 6674

What are the possible side effects of didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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

• liver damage - nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• lactic acidosis - muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, and fast or uneven heart rate;
• pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• peripheral neuropathy - numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;
• problems with vision, increased sensitivity to light;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• any other signs of new infection.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach pain, diarrhea;
• headache;
• weak feeling; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)?

Didanosine can cause life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, fast heart rate, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Do not take didanosine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Didanosine may be harmful to an unborn baby, and may also be more likely to cause pancreatitis in a pregnant woman.

Didanosine may also cause a build up of lactic acid in the body. Symptoms include unusual muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild.

There are many other medicines that can interact with didanosine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.