Lactic acidosis occurs when cells of the body are unable to convert food into usable energy.
As a result, excess acid accumulates in the body and vital organs such as the liver or pancreas may be damaged. Severe lactic acidosis is an infrequent, but well-described complication of the class of HIV drugs known as nucleoside analogues. Fatal lactic acidosis has recently been reported in pregnant women treated throughout gestation with the combination of stavudine and didanosine. Bristol Myers Squibb recommends that the combination of the two drugs should be prescribed for pregnant women only when the potential benefit clearly outweighs the potential risk. One situation where the benefit may outweigh the risk is the use of didanosine plus stavudine in women who have exhausted other treatment options.