Videx

Generic Name: Didanosine
Product Name: Videx

Indication

Videx is used for HIV infection therapy in adults and children.

Action

Videx is converted to active metabolites in the body to inhibit HIV DNA synthesis and replication.

Dose advice

The recommended dose for adults:

• greater than 60 kg: 250 mg once daily or 125mg twice daily
• greater than or equal to 60 kg: 400 mg once daily or 200mg twice daily.

The recommended dose for paediatric patient:

• 120 mg/m2 twice daily in children greater than 6 months.

Videx should be taken at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food. The Videx tablet may be chewed, crushed or dispersed in 30ml water within an hour prior to consumption. Videx is also available as dry powder for oral solution in paediatric patients. They are usually prepared by pharmacists prior to dispensing.Videx is not a cure for HIV infections. You may continue to acquire HIV-related complications. If that occurs, you should seek medical care immediately. Peripheral neuropathy and pancreatitis are related to Videx dose which are most frequently related to patients with a history of these events. Alcohol and the use of other medications may worsen the toxicity effects of Videx. You should advise your doctors if that applies to you. Long term effects of Videx still remain unknown and Videx has not been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to others through sexual contact and blood contamination.

Common side effects

• Diarrhoea (28%)
• Peripheral neuropathy (20%)

Uncommon side effects

• Abdominal Pain (7%)
• Rash (9%)
• Pancreatitis (6%)

References

1. Australian Medicines Handbook, Adelaide, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 2006.
2. MIMS Online [online]. 2003 [cited 2007 July 08]. Available from: URL: http://mims.hcn.net.au.ezproxy.library.uwa.edu.au/ifmx-nsapi/mims-data/?MIval=2MIMS_ssearch

For further information talk to your doctor.