Didanosine/Stavudine Interactions
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Very Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects and are usually not taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
When these two medicines are taken together, the risks of side effects may increase.
What might happen:
The side effects of didanosine and stavudine, including pancreatitis (a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas), peripheral neuropathy (a problem with the nerves in the hands and feet), lactic acidosis (a metabolic disorder), and inflammation of the liver may be more common in patients who these medicines together.The symptoms of pancreatitis include stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include loss of feeling, weakness, tingling or pain in your hands and/or feet. The symptoms of lactic acidosis include unusual tiredness, severe drowsiness, chills, blue/cold skin, muscle pain, fast/difficult breathing, and/or an unusually slow/irregular heartbeat. Symptoms of liver problems include abdominal pain and yellowing of the eyes and/or skin.If you are female, obese, have liver damage, have taken nucleoside analogues for a long time, and/or also take hydroxyurea, the risk of these effects may be even greater.
What you should do about this interaction:
Make sure your health care professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together. Let your doctor know if you have any signs or symptoms of pancreatitis, peripheral neuropathy, lactic acidosis, or inflammation of the liver.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.