If you are being treated for HIV infection, your doctor may have prescribed you a medication called Didanosine. It is also known by its short name ddI. It is very important to know exactly what you are taking before using any medication. So today, let's talk about Didanosine, what it does, how to use it, and what you need to be careful about.
What is Didanosine (ddI)?
Simply put, Didanosine is an antiretroviral drug . It is used in combination with other medications to treat HIV infection.
The most important thing is that this medicine cannot completely cure HIV. However, it does control the activity of the HIV virus in your body and reduce its amount.
If you use this medicine correctly, it will help your immune system and reduce the risk of passing HIV to someone else. But you should remember that it will not completely eliminate that risk.
Things to tell your doctor before starting this medication
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before prescribing Didanosine. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- If you are an alcoholic
- If you have gout
- If you have kidney disease
- If you have liver disease
- If you have previously had pancreatitis
- If you have tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
- If you have had an allergic reaction to didanosine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant
- If you are a breastfeeding mother
Saying these things openly is very important for your safety.
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly.
- Take on an empty stomach: This medicine should definitely be taken on an empty stomach . That means, take it at least 30 minutes before a meal, or 2 hours after a meal. Do not take this medicine with food.
- Drink with a glass of water: When taking medication, it is best to take it with a glass of water.
- Do not chew or crush: These come in delayed-release capsules. That is, capsules designed to be absorbed into the body slowly. Therefore , never chew or crush these capsules . Swallow them whole.
- Take it on time: Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time every day. Take only the prescribed amount, exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
- Don't skip doses: For HIV treatment to be successful, it is essential to take your medication exactly as prescribed. Even if you feel a little better, don't stop taking it until your doctor tells you to . If you skip doses, the HIV virus can become resistant to this medication and other medications. This can make treatment more difficult.
What if you give it to children?
If you are giving this medicine to your child, please consult your pediatrician for advice. Special care may be required when giving this medicine to children.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
Some medications can cause problems when taken with Didanosine. Therefore, tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.
Do not take Didanosine with the following medications:
- Allopurinol
- Ribavirin
- Stavudine
Problems can also occur with the following medications:
- Delavirdine
- Ganciclovir
- Hydroxyurea
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Methadone
- Some antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and tetracycline
- Tenofovir
This list is not complete. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements.
Things to be aware of when taking didanosine
- Regular medical checkups: Attend regular checkups with your doctor. If you develop any new symptoms, talk to your doctor about them. You will need to have regular blood tests while taking this medicine.
- Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol while taking this medication increases the risk of serious side effects. Therefore , avoid alcohol completely .
- Don't self-medicate for stomach pain: If you have severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting, don't self-medicate with over-the-counter medications. Call your doctor immediately.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, Didanosine can cause side effects in some people. Some are serious, while others are mild.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue, and face. |
| Breathing difficulties | Difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, pale stools, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue. |
| Pancreatitis | Severe nausea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps. |
| Other serious symptoms | Signs of infection such as vision changes, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle pain, numbness or pain in the limbs, unusual bleeding or bruising, fever, sore throat. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical advice (but tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Digestive system problems | Diarrhea. |
| Other | Headaches, fat accumulation around the waist and back, or thinning of the face, arms and legs. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual outside of these, talk to your doctor about it.
How do you keep medicine safe?
- Keep away from children.
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius).
- Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Didanosine is a medicine that controls the HIV virus, but it is not a medicine that completely cures the disease.
- This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach . Do not chew or crush the capsule.
- Do not skip medication for any reason. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medication without your doctor's advice.
- Avoid alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- Report any unusual symptoms you experience to your doctor immediately, especially severe stomach pain or signs of liver problems.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
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