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Didanosine

Antiretroviral (NRTI) capsule used with other medicines to treat HIV-1.

Clinical information

Common uses

HIV-1 infection, in combination with other antiretrovirals

Common side effects

diarrhoea
tingling or numbness in hands and feet
feeling sick
headache
rash

Cautions

can cause fatal pancreatitis — stop if suspected
lactic acidosis and severe liver problems, sometimes fatal
can cause nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
eye (retinal) changes can occur — checks may be needed

Interactions

allopurinol — do not use together
ribavirin — do not use together
tenofovir disoproxil — raises didanosine levels, dose reduction
ganciclovir — raises didanosine levels
methadone — lowers didanosine levels
stavudine in pregnancy — fatal lactic acidosis reported

Pregnancy: only if benefits outweigh risks — avoid combining with stavudine

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, didanosine delayed-release capsules label, setid 829e744d-7bd4-43dc-9b58-ffb016cb8e67 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations6

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Didanosine Powder For Oral Solution	Powder for solution	100mg	—	hospital
Didanosine Powder For Oral Solution	Powder for solution	250mg	—	hospital
Didanosine Powder For Oral Solution	Powder for solution	125mg	—	hospital
Didanosine Powder For Oral Solution	Powder for solution	200 mg	—	hospital
Didanosine Powder For Oral Solution	Powder for solution	400 mg	—	hospital
Didanosine Powder For Oral Solution	Powder for solution	167 mg	—	hospital