Drug interactions
Didanosine + Iron
Severity: Moderate
Didanosine and Iron: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Buffered didanosine formulations contain antacids that raise gastric pH, which may reduce oral iron absorption. Iron can also interfere with the absorption of didanosine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Didanosine and Iron can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Didanosine belongs to Anti Virals; Iron belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
The buffering agents raise gastric pH and may bind iron, reducing its solubility and absorption.
What to do
Give oral iron at least 2 hours before or several hours after buffered didanosine. Monitor hemoglobin and ferritin.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Iron
- Acetohydroxamic acid + Iron Moderate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Iron Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Iron Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium citrate + Iron Moderate
Other interactions of Didanosine
- Didanosine + Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Hydroxycarbamide Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Ribavirin Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Stavudine Contraindicated
- Allopurinol + Didanosine Major
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Didanosine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Didanosine with Iron?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Didanosine and Iron can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Buffered didanosine formulations contain antacids that raise gastric pH, which may reduce oral iron absorption. Iron can also interfere with the absorption of didanosine.
How serious is the interaction between Didanosine and Iron?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give oral iron at least 2 hours before or several hours after buffered didanosine. Monitor hemoglobin and ferritin.
What other medicines interact with Iron?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Iron with, for example, Acetohydroxamic acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Baloxavir marboxil. The full list is on the Iron page.
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