Didanosine use in the adult HIV patient

There have been reports in the medical community of hesitation regarding the administration of didanosine to adult HIV patients because of the fear of the documented toxicities associated with didanosine. The most worrisome toxicities include pancreatitis and peripheral neuropathy. With close observation and follow-up, these toxicities can almost always be avoided or easily reversed. This article attempts to allay these fears so that the practitioner can administer this effective antiretroviral confidently and safely. The development of nucleoside and the pharmacology of didanosine are discussed. Drug administration information is provided, including a description of the different forms of didanosine currently available. Guidelines for assessing toxicities associated with didanosine, as well as suggestions for patient education, are also provided. Data gathered at the National Cancer Institute in the phase I didanosine trial indicate that early detection and discontinuation of didanosine, in nearly all cases, can limit or lessen the extent of morbidity.