מתוך medicontext.co.il
By Megan Rauscher
WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) – Enteric-coated didanosine (Videx EC; Bristol-Myers Squibb) is much gentler on the stomach than the original buffered tablet formulation of the nucleoside transcriptase inhibitor, study results indicate. Videx EC capsules contain enteric-coated beadlets that are absorbed in the small intestine.
"We conducted the study because we felt that clinicians and patients needed to know, in real-world conditions, how side effect experiences compared between the new Videx EC formulation and previously available forms," Dr. Laureen M. Kunches, who led the research, told Reuters Health.
In a 6-week open-label trial, Dr. Kunches and colleagues from Boston-based John Snow, Inc. Clinical Research evaluated the frequency and magnitude of gastrointestinal side effects in 42 adults with HIV infection before and after they switched to Videx EC from the buffered form of didanosine. All of them had GI symptoms of at least "moderate severity" while taking the buffered tablet.
"All 42 study subjects preferred the EC form," the authors report in the October 1st issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Switching to Videx EC led to significant reductions in nausea, bloating, GI upset, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and gas, according to patient symptom scores recorded in diaries.
Based on this study, "we think…that didanosine can now be considered for a wider group of patients, including those who might be sensitive to GI upset or diarrhea," Dr. Kunches said.
Physicians and patients making treatment regimen decisions will not have to be faced with either the substantial GI issues or the unpleasant taste of the original forms of didanosine, she added. "These improvements should also improve the likelihood of good adherence to treatment and appear to justify the additional price for the EC form."
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