Atazanavir is used with other medications to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Atazanavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Atazanavir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with atazanavir. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs: alfuzosin, cisapride, indinavir, irinotecan, lovastatin, simvastatin, pimozide, rifampin, sildenafil (for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension), St. John's wort, triazolam, oral midazolam, or ergot medicine (dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine).
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to atazanavir.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with atazanavir. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:
- alfuzosin;
- cisapride;
- indinavir;
- irinotecan;
- lovastatin, simvastatin;
- pimozide;
- rifampin;
- sildenafil (for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension);
- St. John's wort;
- triazolam, oral midazolam; or
- ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine.
- liver disease, hepatitis B or C;
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- history of kidney stones or gallstones;
- diabetes;
- a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
- high cholesterol or triglycerides;
- a heart rhythm disorder, a heart condition called "AV block"; or
- if you have ever used a protease inhibitor in the past.
Atazanavir can make birth control pills, patches, injections, or vaginal rings less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking atazanavir.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old. Do not give atazanavir alone (without ritonavir) to a child younger than 13 years old, or to a child who weighs less than 88 pounds.
Atazanavir Side Effects
Atazanavir may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment with atazanavir. Tell your doctor if you have:
- signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
- chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
- cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;
- rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly feeling, problems with balance or eye movement;
- trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control; or
- swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.
- headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
- severe pain in your side or lower back, painful urination, blood in your urine;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision); or
- severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
- muscle pain, mild itching or rash;
- headache, dizziness, depressed mood, sleep problems (insomnia);
- numbness or burning pain in your hands or feet; or
- changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).
Atazanavir Interactions
Taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
Many drugs can interact with atazanavir. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with atazanavir, especially:
- bosentan;
- buprenorphine;
- colchicine;
- fluticasone (especially if you also take ritonavir);
- paclitaxel;
- quetiapine;
- repaglinide;
- salmeterol (with or without fluticasone);
- warfarin (Coumadin);
- other HIV/AIDS medications;
- the hepatitis C medications boceprevir or telaprevir;
- an antibiotic--clarithromycin, rifabutin;
- an antidepressant--amitriptyline, doxepin, desipramine, imipramine, protriptyline, trazodone, trimipramine;
- antifungal medicine--ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole;
- cholesterol-lowering medications--atorvastatin, rosuvastatin;
- drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection--cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus;
- erectile dysfunction medications--avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil;
- heart or blood pressure medication--amiodarone, diltiazem, felodipine, lidocaine, nicardipine, nifedipine, quinidine, verapamil;
- seizure medication--carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone; or
- stomach acid reducers--cimetidine, dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, famotidine, lansoprazole, nizatidine, omeprazole, pantoprazole, ranitidine, and others.
Atazanavir Dosage
Atazanavir should be taken once daily with food. Swallow the capsule whole.
While using atazanavir, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office. Your liver function may also need to be checked.
Use atazanavir regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 6 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc.
Atazanavir Pictures
