Drug interactions
Didanosine + Valganciclovir
Severity: Major
Didanosine and Valganciclovir: 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
Valganciclovir is converted to ganciclovir, which can raise didanosine exposure and add to the toxicity of didanosine, including pancreatitis, neuropathy and cytopenias. Co-administration therefore carries an increased risk of serious adverse effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Didanosine and Valganciclovir 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; Valganciclovir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Ganciclovir increases didanosine exposure through a pharmacokinetic effect and adds to its toxicity; hematologic effects are additive.
What to do
Avoid the combination where alternatives exist. If used, monitor for pancreatitis, neuropathy and blood count changes, and reduce the didanosine dose as per labeling.
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 Valganciclovir
Other interactions of Didanosine
- Didanosine + Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Hydroxycarbamide Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Hydroxyurea Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Ribavirin Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Stavudine Contraindicated
- Allopurinol + Didanosine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Didanosine with Valganciclovir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Didanosine and Valganciclovir 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. Valganciclovir is converted to ganciclovir, which can raise didanosine exposure and add to the toxicity of didanosine, including pancreatitis, neuropathy and cytopenias. Co-administration therefore carries an increased risk of serious adverse effects.
How serious is the interaction between Didanosine and Valganciclovir?
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 the combination where alternatives exist. If used, monitor for pancreatitis, neuropathy and blood count changes, and reduce the didanosine dose as per labeling.
What other medicines interact with Valganciclovir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Valganciclovir with, for example, Ganciclovir, Liposomal doxorubicin, Maribavir. The full list is on the Valganciclovir page.
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