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Generic Name: atazanavir (oral) (at a za NA veer)
Brand Names: Reyataz

What is atazanavir?

Atazanavir is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Atazanavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Atazanavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Atazanavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Atazanavir may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about atazanavir?

There are many other medicines that can interact with atazanavir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Taking atazanavir will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atazanavir?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to atazanavir.

Before taking atazanavir, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease or a history of kidney stones;

• diabetes;

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• a heart condition called "AV block"; or

• if you have ever used a protease inhibitor in the past.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use atazanavir, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.

How should I take atazanavir?

Take atazanavir exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

It is important to use atazanavir regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking atazanavir?

Avoid using antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take atazanavir.

If you also take didanosine, take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take atazanavir.

Taking atazanavir will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Atazanavir side effects

• increased urination or extreme thirst;

• severe pain in your side or lower back, painful urination, blood in your urine;

• easy bruising or bleeding;

• signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms; or

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Keep taking the medication and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;

• numbness or tingling, especially around your mouth;

• joint pain;

• headache, mood changes; or

• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect atazanavir?

• bepridil (Vascor);

• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• St. John's wort;

• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), rifabutin (Mycobutin), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), trazodone (Desyrel), and others;

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Caduet, Lotrel, Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Dilacor), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);

• cholesterol-lowering medicine such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), or simvastatin (Zocor);

• drugs that weaken the immune system, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf);

• heart rhythm medications such as amiodarone (Cordarone) or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex);

• insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth;

• medicines to treat erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra);

• other HIV /AIDS medicine such as efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), or tenofovir (Viread); or

• stomach acid reducers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), omeprazole (Prilosec), or ranitidine (Zantac).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take atazanavir, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There are many other medicines that can interact with atazanavir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about atazanavir written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Atazanavir is available with a prescription under the brand name Reyataz. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Reyataz 100 mg-blue and white capsules

• Reyataz 150 mg-blue and powder blue capsules

• Reyataz 200 mg-blue capsules

• Reyataz 300 mg-red and blue capsules

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.