How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient didanosine (also known as ddi), which is a type of medicine called a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. It is used in the treatment of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is caused by infection with HIV. This virus invades cells of the immune system, particularly the white blood cells known as CD4 T-helper lymphocytes. These cells normally work to activate other cells in the immune system to fight infection. Since HIV kills CD4 T-helper cells, over time the body becomes less able to fight the virus or subsequent infections. Once the virus is inside the CD4 T-cell it multiplies. Part of the process of viral multiplication involves the conversion of the virus genetic material, RNA, into DNA. This is achieved by a compound essential to the virus, called reverse transcriptase. Reverse transcriptase is a compound known as an enzyme. Didanosine works by blocking the action of this enzyme, thereby interfering with the conversion of viral RNA into DNA. This stops the virus from multiplying. There is no cure for HIV, but didanosine is one of a number of medications that lowers the amount of virus in the body (viral load) and slows the progression of the disease from HIV to AIDS. Didanosine is used in conjunction with other anti-HIV drugs that attack the HIV virus in different ways. This helps prevent the virus becoming resistant to the medicine.

What is it used for?

HIV infection

Warning!

Your liver functioning should be monitored while you are taking this medicine. Symptoms that may suggest a liver problem include persistent nausea and vomiting, or the development of jaundice (a yellow colouring to the skin and the whites of the eyes). Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience persistent numbness, tingling or pain in your feet and/or hands while taking this medicine, as this could be indicative of a nerve problem called peripheral neuropathy.

The HIV virus is very good at becoming resistant to anti-HIV medicines. For this reason it is very important that you carefully follow your doctor's instructions for taking your anti-HIV medicines, in order to maintain effective levels of the medicines in your blood. If the blood levels drop, the virus will be given more chance to replicate and develop resistance to the drugs. Skipping even a few doses increases the risk of treatment failure, so you should try to ensure that you take all your doses at the correct time, and that you visit your doctor for repeat prescriptions before you run out.

Consult your doctor if you experience sudden stomach or abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting while taking this medicine, as this may be due to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which must be treated.

Consult your doctor if your experience the following symptoms while taking this medicine, as they may be indicative of a serious condition called lactic acidosis: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general feeling of illness, loss of appetite, weight loss, rapid and/or weak breathing, weakness.

Food in the stomach can reduce the absorption of this medicine so it should be taken on an empty stomach. Videx EC capsules should be taken at least two hours before or after a meal. They should be swallowed whole with at least 100ml water. Do not open the capsules. Videx chewable/dispersable tablets should be taken at least 30 minutes before or two hours after food. They should be thoroughly chewed, or dissolved in water as directed and the solution drunk immediately.

Treatment of HIV infection with anti-HIV medicines such as this one does not reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to other people through sexual contact or blood contamination. You should continue to use condoms to prevent transmitting the virus to your sexual partner.

It is recommended that you have regular eye examinations while you taking this medicine, as it can sometimes cause eye problems. Consult your doctor if you experience any disturbances in your vision while taking this medicine. Children taking this medicine should have an eye examination every six months or if they have a change in vision.

Use with caution in

An inherited disorder of protein metabolism called phenylketonuria (applicable to Videx chewable/dispersable tablets only)

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

High blood uric acid level (hyperuricaemia)

History of pancreatitis

Intolerance to fructose (applicable to Videx chewable/dispersable tablets only)

Liver disease

Numbness and weakness in the extremities, caused by damage to the nerves (peripheral neuropathy)

People with raised liver enzymes

Not to be used in

Children aged under six years (applicable to Videx EC capsules only)

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is recommended that women infected with the HIV virus must not breastfeed their infants under any circumstances, in order to avoid transmission of the virus to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Rash

Dry mouth

Fatigue

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

High blood uric acid level (hyperuricaemia) which can cause kidney problems and gout

Disorder of the peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness (peripheral neuropathy)

Diabetes

Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)

Elevated levels of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis)

Changes to the retina and optic nerve of the eye.

Liver disorders

Disturbances of the gut such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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