• Didanosine is an antiviral used to treat HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), and prevents the virus from multiplying
• Didanosine is not a cure for HIV/AIDS
• Didanosine is used for adults and children older than 2 weeks
• Didanosine may be used for other conditions
• Didanosine may be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents to treat HIV-1 infection

• Always follow given medication guidelines and doctor's directions
• Follow doctor's dosage directions
• Take on an empty stomach, 30 mins before a meal or 2 hours after a meal
• Do not take with food
• Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before measurement of dose
• Use dosing device provided
• Do not crush/chew/break/open the capsule
• Store tablets/capsules at room temperature away from heat and moisture
• Keep container tightly closed
• Store liquid in refrigerator
• Dispose of leftover didanosine liquid that is older than 30 days
• If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible; however, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose
• Do not take two doses at once

Always inform your doctor of all known medications, medical conditions, and allergies prior to taking a new drug, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs, supplements, and vitamins.

General precautions:

• Didanosine may cause lactic acidosis, a dangerous accumulation of lactic acid in the blood
• Didanosine may cause severe damage to the liver or pancreas
• You may need regular medical testing, including vision testing
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid antacids (consult with your doctor)
• Didanosine does not prevent your disease from spreading; do not engage in unprotected sex, share razors/toothbrushes/needles/drugs
• Consult with your doctor about safer sex
• Combination with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate not recommended
• This medication is not recommended due to significant toxicity and the availability of safer agents

DO NOT take didanosine if:

• You also take allopurinol, ribavirin, or stavudine
• You are allergic to didanosine
• You are pregnant and are using stavudine

Notify your doctor if you have ever experienced:

• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Kidney disease, including if you are on dialysis
• Numbness/tingling in hands/feet, including Raynaud's syndrome
• If you drink alcohol heavily
• If you are pregnant - HIV may spread to the baby

Get immediate medical assistance if you experience:

• An overdose
• Symptoms associated with lactic acidosis: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, sensation of coldness, fatigue, weakness
• Symptoms associated with a liver or pancreas problem: severe pain in upper stomach that may spread to back, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartrate, itchy sensations, loss of appetite, dark colored urine, clay colored stool, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)

Drug interactions:

• HIV/AIDS drugs should not be taken if you also take antibiotics
• Take ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking didanosine
• Take delavirdine or indinavir at least 1 hour before taking didanosine
• Take nelfinavir at least 1 hour before taking didanosine
• Take itraconazole or ketoconazole at least 2 hours before taking didanosine

Please note that the precautionary information and side effects listed on this webpage are not exhaustive. Other effects may occur. Please consult with your physician about the relevancy of this information to your personal case.

Always inform your doctor of all known medications, medical conditions, and allergies prior to taking a new drug, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs, supplements, and vitamins.

Common side effects:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• stomach pain
• Headache
• Change in the shape/location of body fat, especially in arms/legs/face/neck/breasts/waist

Didanosine affects the immune system, and side effects may linger weeks or months after

Get immediate medical assistance if you experience:

• Numbless, tingling, pain in hands/feet
• Bloody/tarry stools, coughed up blood, vomit resembling coffee grounds
• Changes in vision
• Symptoms associated with liver or pancreas issues: appetite loss, upper stomach pain that may spread to back, nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)

Notify your doctor if you experience:

• symptoms associated with a new infection: fever, night sweating, swolleng lands, cold sores, coughing, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss
• Trouble with speech, trouble with swallowing, balancing problems, eye movement problems, prickly sensations, weakness
• Swelling in the neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), changes in menstruation, erectile dysfunction

Please note that the precautionary information and side effects listed on this webpage are not exhaustive. Other effects may occur. Please consult with your physician about the relevancy of this information to your personal case.