VIDEX
General description

Videx is the brand name for didanosine, formerly called ddl, produced by Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company. It is a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue active against HIV infection. It is availalbe in cherwable tablets, and as an oral solution (one form for adults, one form for pediatric patients).

Mechanism

Didanosine is converted to an active metabolite which inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase activity by competing with dATP and by terminating DNA chain growth after incorporation into the viral DNA.

Indications

Videx is indicated for usage for HIV infection where antiretroviral treatment is warranted.

Usage/Dosage

All doses should be taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating. Patients should take two tablets at each dose. Dosage interval should be 12 hours. For pediatric patients, the recommended dosage is 120 mg/sq. m BID. For adults, the dosage is given in the following tables. The first table is for normal aduls and the second table contains adjusted dosages for patients with renal clearance dysfunction.



Patient weight	Videx tablets	Videx buffered powder
>60 kg	200 mg BOD	250 mg BID
<60 kg	125 mg BOD	167 mg BID





	>60 kg	>60 kg	<60 kg	<60 kg
Creatine Clearance (mL/min)	Tablet	Solution	Tablet	Solution	Interval (hours)
>60	200	250	125	167	12
30-59	100	100	75	100	12
10-29	150	167	100	100	24
<10	100	100	75	100	24

Precautions

Patients should remain under close clinical observation during treatment. Patients may continue to develop complications associated with HIV infection. Videx is not a cure for HIV. Videx should be taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after eating. Patients with renal impairment may be at higher risk for toxic side effects as well as patients concomitantly taking drugs known to cause pancreatitis. Videx has been found to inteact with the following drugs : allopurinol, antacids, ganciclvoir, and quinoline antibiotics.

Contraindications

Videx is contraindicated for patients with clinically proven hypersensitivity to any of the drug components

Potential Adverse Effects

The major toxic side effect of Videx is pancreatitis. Other toxic effects reported have been lactic acidosis, sever hepatomegaly with steatosis, and retinal/visual changes. It has also been shown to cause diarrhea and neuropathy of assorted grades in patients.