Drug interactions
Didanosine + Pentamidine
Severity: Major
Didanosine and Pentamidine: major 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
Both didanosine and systemic pentamidine can cause pancreatitis, and pentamidine can also cause dysglycemia due to pancreatic islet toxicity. The combination raises the risk of serious pancreatic injury.
What this interaction means in plain words
Didanosine and Pentamidine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Didanosine belongs to Anti Virals; Pentamidine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive pancreatic toxicity.
What to do
Avoid co-administration where possible and choose another antiretroviral. If unavoidable, monitor amylase/lipase, glucose and abdominal symptoms.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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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
Other interactions of Pentamidine
- Clomipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Moxifloxacin + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Nortriptyline + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Pentamidine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Didanosine with Pentamidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Didanosine and Pentamidine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both didanosine and systemic pentamidine can cause pancreatitis, and pentamidine can also cause dysglycemia due to pancreatic islet toxicity. The combination raises the risk of serious pancreatic injury.
How serious is the interaction between Didanosine and Pentamidine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid co-administration where possible and choose another antiretroviral. If unavoidable, monitor amylase/lipase, glucose and abdominal symptoms.
What other medicines interact with Didanosine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Didanosine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Hydroxycarbamide, Ribavirin. The full list is on the Didanosine page.
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