Pancreatic toxic effects associated with co-administration of didanosine and tenofovir in HIV-infected adults.

Abstract

The rise in didanosine concentrations in plasma when given with tenofovir raises concern for a high risk of toxic effects. Recommendations to reduce didanosine dose have been issued, but only for adults weighing more than 60 kg. We reviewed cases of pancreatitis in patients receiving didanosine plus tenofovir, didanosine alone, and tenofovir alone to assess the incidence of and risk factors for pancreatitis. Between Aug 1, 2001, and Nov 30, 2003, five of 185 (2.7%) patients receiving didanosine plus tenofovir, one of 182 (0.5%) on didanosine without tenofovir, and none of 208 on tenofovir without didanosine developed pancreatitis (p=0.016). Co-administration of both drugs versus each of them individually was an independent risk factor for pancreatitis (crude hazard ratio 10.666, 95% CI 1.246-91.294, p=0.031). These results suggest that the risk of pancreatitis is heightened when didanosine and tenofovir are given together.

• Authors: Esteban Martínez, Ana Milinkovic, Elisa de Lazzari, Giovanni Ravasi, José L Blanco, Maria Larrousse, Josep Mallolas, Felipe García, José M Miró, José M Gatell
• Journal: Lancet (London, England) (Lancet) 2004 Jul 3-9 Vol. 364 Issue 9428 Pg. 65-7 ISSN: 1474-547X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 15234858 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-HIV Agents
• Organophosphonates
• Organophosphorus Compounds
• Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
• Tenofovir
• Adenine
• Didanosine

Topics

• Adenine (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
• Adult
• Anti-HIV Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Body Weight
• Didanosine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Drug Interactions
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• HIV Infections (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Organophosphonates
• Organophosphorus Compounds (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Pancreatitis (chemically induced)
• Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Tenofovir