Didanosine

**Definition:** A dideoxynucleoside compound in which the 3'-hydroxy group on the sugar moiety has been replaced by a hydrogen.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.

**Tree numbers:** - D03.633.100.759.590.616.130 - D13.570.230.500.090 - D13.570.583.616.130 - D13.570.800.573.130

**Synonyms:** - 2',3'-Dideoxyinosine - ddI (Antiviral) - Dideoxyinosine