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Videx

Generic name Didanosine [Dye-DAN-ohseen]
Brand names: Videx
Drug class: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nrtis)

What is Videx?

Videx is a medicine that works as an antiviral to prevent the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying within your body.

Videx is used for HIV treatment, which is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome( AIDS). This medication is not a cure or treatment for HIV/AIDS.Videx can be used by adults and children older than 2 weeks.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for Videx.

Side effects of Videx

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.

The mild symptoms of lactic acidosis can worsen over time. This condition is fatal. If you experience: unusual muscular pain; difficulty breathing; stomach pain; nausea or dizziness

Videx can cause serious side effects. If you experience:

  • You may experience tingling or numbness in your feet or hands.
  • Bloody or tarry stool, vomiting blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • Vision changes
  • Signs of liver or pancreas disease include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, and dark urine.

Videx can affect your immune system and cause side effects. Even weeks or months after taking Videx. Inform your doctor if:

  • Signs of an infection: fever, sweating at night, swollen lymph glands, colds, sores; cough, wheezing; diarrhea; weight loss.
  • If you have difficulty speaking or swallowing, have problems with balance, eye movements, or weakness, or feel prickly, then it could be a sign of a problem.
  • Impotence, menstrual changes, swelling of the neck or throat (enlarged thyroid)

Some of the common side effects associated with Videx include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and  stomach pain;
  • Rash;
  • Headache
  • Changes in the shape or location (especially of your arms, legs, and breasts), as well as changes in your body fat.

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

Similar/related drugs

Biktarvy, Descovy, Truvada, Tenofovir, Zidovudine, Emtricitabine, and Atripla

Warnings

Videx should not be taken with allopurinol or ribavirin.You could develop lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous buildup of lactic acid in your blood. If you experience unusual muscle pains, difficulty breathing, stomach pains, dizziness, or feel cold or very tired, call your doctor.

This medication can cause serious or even life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe stomach pain (which may spread up your back), nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, itchiness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or clay-coloured stool.

Before you take this drug

Videx should not be used if you have an allergy to it. Do not take this medication with allopurinol or ribavirin.

Tell your physician if any of the following apply to you:

  • Pancreatitis or liver disease (Videx may cause serious or even life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas).
  • Kidney disease (or dialysis if you have it);
  • Raynaud syndrome, or similar numbness and tingling of the hands or feet.
  • If you consume large quantities of alcohol,

You can develop lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous accumulation of lactic acids in your blood. It may be more common if there are other medical conditions or if you have taken HIV medication for a long time. Check with your physician to assess your risks.

Use your medication properly to control infections. HIV can be transmitted to your child if you do not control the virus during pregnancy. You may have your name listed in a registry that tracks the effects of antiviral medicines on the baby.Do not combine Videx and Stavudine if you are pregnant. The combination is dangerous.Breast-feeding is not recommended for women with HIV/AIDS. Even if the baby was born HIV-free, the virus can be transmitted to the infant through your breast milk.

How to take Videx?

Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.Do not take Videx with food. Take Videx 30 minutes or more before a meal. Do not take Videx with food.Before measuring a dose, shake the orally suspended liquid. Use the provided dosing device or a dose-measuring tool (not a spoon).Do not open, crush, chew, or break the capsule.

Read all the instructions and medication guides that you receive. Do not alter your dosage or schedule without consulting your doctor. Each person living with HIV should be under the care and supervision of a physician.You may need to undergo frequent medical testing. You may need to have your vision checked.Keep the tablet and capsule in a tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.Keep the liquid cool. Videx liquid older than 30 days should be thrown away.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.

Avoid this

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can increase the risk of liver disease or pancreatitis.Use antacids only with your doctor's approval while taking Videx. Only use the antacids that your doctor has prescribed.

Videx does not stop the spread of your illness. Share razors and toothbrushes. Speak to your doctor about the best ways to prevent HIV from being transmitted during sex. Even healthy people should never share syringes for drugs or medicines.

Interaction with other drug

Videx should not be taken with certain HIV medications or anti-infectives. These medicines may affect the level of didanosine in your bloodstream.

  • Ciprofloxacin must be taken 2 hours prior to or 6 hours following Videx.
  • Take Delavirdine or Indinavir for at least one hour before taking Videx.
  • Take Nelfinavir at least one hour after taking Videx.
  • Take itraconazole and ketoconazole for at least two hours before taking Videx.

Some drugs may interact with Videx and should not be taken together. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you have stopped using. Included are prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.

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Prescription only

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