Divir

by A. J. Mirza

Active ingredient: Didanosine

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About Didanosine

Antiviral, Systemic

Uses

Treatment of HIV-1 infected patients in appropriate antiretroviral regimens in combination with other nucleoside analogues, non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors & HIV protease.

How to take it

Adults: >60 kg: 400 mg in one or two divided doses daily, <60 kg: 250 mg once daily. Children: Under 3 mth, 100 mg/m²/dose (180 mg/m² daily in combination with zidovudine) in 1-2 divided doses. Infants =3 mths to =8 mths: 100 mg/m²/dose every 12 hrs. >8 mths: 120 mg/m²/dose every 12 hrs; Do not exceed weight-based adult dose.

Side effects

Pancreatitis, lactic acidosis, severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, retinal changes, optical neuritis, peripheral neuropathy. Headache, alopecia, anaphylactoid reaction, rash, pruritus, asthaenia, chills/fever, pain, anorexia, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, flatulence, sialoadenitis, parotid gland enlargement, dry mouth, dry eyes. Haematologic disorders, hepatitis & liver failure, diabetes mellitus, hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase level, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, arthralgia, myopathy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Precautions: Combination treatment of didanosine & stavudine during pregnancy, patient with risk factors for liver disease, pancreatitis, risk factors for pancreatitis e.g. patients with advanced HIV infection, patients with combination antiretroviral therapy. History of pancreatitis, elderly, paediatric patients, renal & hepatic impairment, peripheral neuropathy. Periodic retinal exam is recommended. Hyperuricaemia, immune reconstitution syndrome & patients with restricted diets.

Full information on Didanosine →

Interactions with Didanosine

Co-administration with drugs known to cause peripheral neuropathy or pancreatitis may increase the risk of these toxicities. Allopurinol; methadone; tenofovir; delavirdine & indinavir; ketoconazole & itraconazole; ganciclovir; tetracyclines; quinolones, ribavirin.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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