What is Videx EC?
Videx EC is an antiviral medication used to treat HIV. It is in a class of anti-HIV drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. They can decrease the amount of HIV in a person’s body.
How does Videx Work?
When HIV infects a cell it copies is genetic code into the cell’s DNA. This causes the cell to create new viruses. To do this, HIV needs an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert it’s RNA into DNA. Videx has faulty versions of the building blocks needed by reverse transcriptase to convert the RNA. This causes the DNA to be built incorrectly, and the cell is unable to produce more copies of the virus.
Does Videx Cure HIV?
Videx does not cure HIV or AIDS. Patients using this drug can still get opportunistic infections such as pneumonia, herpes and other conditions that can occur with HIV infection. OI’s happen when the immune system has been damaged by HIV infection. It is recommended that you see your doctor on a regular basis while getting treatment for HIV.
Is Videx Right For You?
Always consult a doctor before starting Videx to see if it is right for you. You should not take Videx if you are allergic to any of its components.
The active ingredient is: didanosinde.
The inactive ingredients are: - Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 12
Diethyl phthalate
Methacrylic acid copolymer
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium starch glycolate
Talc
Colloidal silicon dioxide
Gelatin
Sodium lauryle sulfate
Titanium dioxide
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before taking Videx (didanosine):
- Liver or kidney disease
- History of pancreas inflammation
- Numbness or tingling in extremities
- Gout
- Consume alcohol regularly
If you have any of these conditions, then your doctor may have to modify your dose or monitor you more closely.
Videx is not expected to be harmful to an unborn fetus, however do not take it if you are pregnant without first talking to your doctor. HIV positive mothers should not breast-feed as they could pass the virus to their baby through infected breast milk.
Using Videx
It is important to always take Videx as your doctor directed you to. If the instructions are unclear then ask your doctor or pharmacist. Each dose should be taken with a full glass of water 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal.
It is important not to miss any doses of this medication as that can promote drug resistance and make Videx less effective against HIV. If you do miss a dose then take the missed dose right away, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Then you can just skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.
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