ABSTRACT
Administration of didanosine (ddI) as buffered tablets is complicated by its poor palatability. The tolerance and palatability of pediatric powder ddI in an adult population of subjects with HIV infection as compared with buffered ddI tablets was compared. Twenty HIV-infected, were enrolled in a randomized crossover trial. Subjects took one of the two randomly assigned formulations for 4 weeks and then were crossed over to the alternative treatment. Twenty subjects were enrolled, and all of them completed the study. Of the 16 subjects, 10 reported that taking the ddI tablets affected the quality of their lives negatively. Of the participants, 18 (905) rated the pediatric formulation as 6 (better) or 2 (much better) than the buffered tablets. Preference was based on better taste and ease to swallow, although none of these 18 patients reported difficulties taking the pediatric formulation. In contrast, 19 of the 20 subjects reported difficulties taking the buffered tablets during the study period, including poor taste, trouble swallowing them, and diarrhea. Tolerance and palatability of ddI demonstrate marked improvement by the use of the pediatric powder, which suggests that the administration of ddI can markedly enhanced by the use of pediatric formulation.
