Brand Names

How to Use

Take this drug exactly as directed by your family doctor . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often and do not take it for a longer time than your family doctor ordered. Always do not stop taking this drug without checking with your family doctor first. However, stop taking didanosine and call your family doctor right away if you get severe nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.

Otherwise, keep taking didanosine for the full time of treat , even if you begin to feel better.

For diseaseds taking didanosine delayed-release capsules :

• Capsules must be swallowed intact.

For diseaseds taking didanosine for oral solution, buffered powder :

• Open the foil packet and pour its contents into approximately 1/2 glass - 4 ounces of water Do not mix with fruit juice or other acid-containing drinks.
• Stir for approximately 2 to 3 minutes until the powder is dissolved.
• Drink at once.

For diseaseds taking didanosine for oral suspension, pediatric powder :

• Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

For diseaseds taking didanosine tablets, buffered chewable and for oral suspension :

• Tablets must be thoroughly chewed or crushed or mixed in at least 1 ounce of water before swallowing. The tablets are hard and some people may find them difficult to chew. If the tablets are mixed in water, stir well until a uniform suspension is formed and take at once. For additional flavoring, mix the prepared suspension with 1 ounce of clear apple juice.
• Two tablets must be taken together by diseaseds over 1 year of age . These tablets contain a special buffer to keep didanosine from being destroyed in the stomach. In order to get the correct amount of buffer, 2 tablets always need to be taken together. Infants from 6 to 12 months of age will get enough buffer from just 1 tablet. For 1-tablet dose, a 1/2 ounce of clear apple juice may be added as a flavor enhancer.

Didanosine must be taken on an empty stomach since food may decrease the absorption in the stomach and keep it from working properly. Didanosine must be taken at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you eat.

This drug works best when there is a constant amount in the blood To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses . If you need help in planning the best times to take your drug, check with your health care professional.

Dosage

The number of capsules, tablets or teaspoonfuls of solution or suspension that you take depends on the strength of the drug.

• For the treat of advanced HIV infection or AIDS:
  • For oral dosage form - capsules, delayed-release:
    • Adults and teenagers Dose is based on body weight.
      • For diseaseds weighing less than 60 kilograms - kg - 132 pounds: 250 milligrams - mg once daily.
      • For diseaseds weighing 60 kg - 132 pounds or more: 400 mg once daily.
    • Children The oral capsules are usually not using for small children.
  • For oral dosage form - solution, buffered powder:
    • Adults and teenagers Dose is based on body weight.
      • For diseaseds weighing less than 60 kilograms - kg - 132 pounds: 167 mg every twelve hours.
      • For diseaseds weighing 60 kg - 132 pounds or more: 250 mg every twelve hours.
    • Children The oral solution is usually not using for small children.
  • For oral dosage form - suspension, pediatric powder:
    • Adults and teenagers The pediatric oral suspension is usually not using in adults and teenagers.
    • Children Dose is based on body size and must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For oral dosage form - tablets:
    • Adults and teenagers Dose is based on body weight.
      • For diseaseds weighing less than 60 kg - 132 pounds: 125 mg every twelve hours, or 250 mg once daily.
      • For diseaseds weighing 60 kg - 132 pounds or more: 200 mg every twelve hours, or 400 mg once daily.
    • Children Dose is based on body size and must be determined by your family doctor.

Missed dose If you do miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Only take drug that your family doctor has prescribed specifically for you. Do not share your drug with others.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.