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.

Didanosine may cause lactic acidosis (a build-up of lactic acid in the body, which can be fatal). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and get worse over time. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as:

• muscle pain or weakness;
• numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs;
• trouble breathing;
• feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak;
• stomach pain, nausea with vomiting; or
• fast or uneven heart rate.

• liver damage - nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine or stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• swelling around your stomach, feeling of fullness, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood;
• numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• any other signs of new infection.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach pain, diarrhea;
• headache;
• mild rash; 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)?

Do not use didanosine if you are allergic to it. Do not take didanosine together with allopurinol (Zyloprim) or ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole).

There are many other medicines that can interact with didanosine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use.

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, swelling around your stomach, feeling of fullness, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, fast heart rate, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine or stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Some people develop lactic acidosis while taking didanosine. Early symptoms may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

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

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