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Patient Information Sheet
Atazanavir Sulfate (marketed as Reyataz)
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This is a summary of the most important information about Reyataz. For details, talk to
your healthcare professional.
What is Reyataz used for?
Reyataz is a prescription medicine used with other anti-HIV
medicines to treat people who are infected with the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Reyataz is a type of anti-HIV medicine
called a protease inhibitor. Reyataz helps to block HIV protease, an
enzyme that is needed for the HIV virus to multiply. Reyataz may
lower the amount of HIV in your blood, help your body keep its
supply of CD4 (T) cells, and reduce the risk of death and illness
associated with HIV.
Reyataz does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. People taking
Reyataz may still get opportunistic infections or other conditions
that happen with HIV infection. It is very important that you see
your healthcare provider regularly while taking Reyataz.
Even if you are taking Reyataz, you may still pass HIV to other
people through sexual contact, sharing needles, or being exposed to
your blood. For your health and the health of others, it is
important to always practice safer sex and never use or share dirty
needles.
Who should not take Reyataz?
Do not take Reyataz if you are:
- taking certain medications. Serious
life-threatening side effects or death may happen when taking
certain medications with Reyataz. Before you take Reyataz, tell
your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking or
planning to take. These include other prescription and
nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
- allergic to Reyataz or any of its
ingredients.
General Precautions:
- Reyataz may cause an increase in bilirubin
levels in the blood (bilirubin is made by the liver). This may
cause your skin or the white part of your eyes to turn yellow.
- Reyataz may cause a change in the way your
heart beats (heart rhythm change). Signs and symptoms include
dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Reyataz may cause diabetes and high blood
sugar. Some patients may need changes in their diabetes medicine.
- If you have liver disease including
hepatitis B or C, your liver disease may get worse when you take
anti-HIV medicines like Reyataz.
- Some people with hemophilia have reported
increased bleeding problems while taking protease inhibitors like Reyataz.
- Lactic acidosis syndrome (a severe buildup
of acid in the blood that sometimes causes death) has been
reported in patients taking Reyataz along with anti-HIV medicines
called nucleoside analogues. Lactic acidosis syndrome has happened
more in people who are female or very overweight. Lactic acidosis
syndrome is a medical emergency and must be treated in the
hospital. The following are signs of lactic acidosis syndrome:
persistent nausea, vomiting or unexpected stomach discomfort;
weakness and tiredness; trouble breathing; and weakness especially in the arms and legs.
- Use of antiretroviral medications, including
Reyataz, has been associated with changes in body fat. These
changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper back
and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the trunk. Loss of
fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen.
What should I tell my healthcare provider?
Tell your healthcare provider:
- if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- if you are breast-feeding.
- if you have liver problems or are infected with the hepatitis B or C virus.
- if you have diabetes.
- if you have hemophilia.
- about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal
supplements.
What are some possible side effects of Reyataz? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Reyataz. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)
Common side effects with Reyataz when taken with other anti-HIV medicines include:
- nausea
- headache
- rash
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- depression
- fever
- dizziness
- trouble sleeping
- tiredness
- numbness
- tingling or burning of hands and feet
- muscle pain
- yellowing of skin or white part of eye
Link to Reyataz’ Approved Labeling and Patient Information
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Date created: October 28, 2003; Date Upated: December 5, 2006
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