A dideoxynucleoside compound in which the 3'-hydroxy group on the sugar moiety has been replaced by a hydrogen. This modification prevents the formation of phosphodiester linkages which are needed for the completion of nucleic acid chains. Didanosine is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication, acting as a chain-terminator of viral DNA by binding to reverse transcriptase; ddI is then metabolized to dideoxyadenosine triphosphate, its putative active metabolite.
Also Known As:
Videx; 2',3' Dideoxyinosine; NSC-612049; NSC 612049; NSC612049; 2',3'-Dideoxyinosine; Dideoxyinosine; ddI (Antiviral); Inosine, 2',3'-dideoxy-