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Atazanavir Atazanavir 150 Atazanavir 200 Reyataz 300mg
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at-a-za-NA-veer   Audio

Brand Name: Reyataz  Audio
Drug Class: Protease Inhibitors
Atazanavir, also known as Reyataz, is a type of medicine called a protease inhibitor (PI). PIs block protease, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies of itself.

HIV/AIDS-Related Uses
Atazanavir was approved by the FDA on June 20, 2003, for use with other antiretroviral medication in the treatment of HIV infection. This medicine does not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS and does not reduce the risk of passing the virus to other people.
Most PIs cause an increase in an individual's blood lipid levels. In clinical trials, individuals taking atazanavir have not experienced an increase in lipid levels.
HIV can become resistant to anti-HIV drugs over time. When individuals develop resistance to a drug in a certain class (for example, PIs), they often become resistant to many or all of the drugs in that class. However, individuals taking atazanavir as part of their first anti-HIV drug regimen may still be able to take other PIs, even if they develop resistance to atazanavir.

Dosage Form/Administration
Atazanavir comes in capsule form and is taken with food.

Recommended Daily Dose
The recommended dose of atazanavir in HIV infected adults is 300 mg (two 150-mg capsules or one 300-mg capsule) once a day with ritonavir 100 mg. The recommended dose of atazanavir in treatment-naive HIV infected adults who cannot tolerate ritonavir is 400 mg (two 200-mg capsules) once a day. Atazanavir taken without ritonavir is not recommended for treatment-experienced patients who have previously failed other treatment regimens. The recommended dose of atazanavir for children between 6 and 18 years of age is based on the individual's weight. Atazanavir is not recommended for children less than 6 years of age, for children less than 13 years of age without ritonavir boosting, or for children with a body weight of less than 25 kg.

The dose of atazanavir should be adjusted when atazanavir is given with certain other anti-HIV medications and H2-receptor antagonists. For individuals with decreased liver function, the recommended dose is 300 mg once a day.
Some individuals may benefit from different doses of atazanavir. Individuals should always take atazanavir as prescribed by their doctors.

Contraindications
Individuals should tell a doctor about any medical problems before taking this medicine.

Possible Side Effects
Along with its desired effects, atazanavir may cause some unwanted effects. Serious side effects of this medicine include yellowing of the eyes or skin, change in heart rhythm, diabetes and high blood sugar, diarrhea, infection, nausea, and blood in the urine. Individuals taking this medicine should tell a doctor if they develop symptoms of any of these side effects.
Other side effects may not be serious and may lessen or disappear with continued use of the medicine. Less serious side effects of this medicine include headache; rash; stomach pain; vomiting; depression; increased cough; trouble sleeping; tiredness; back pain; joint pain; and numbness, tingling, or burning of the hands or feet. Individuals should tell a doctor if these side effects continue or are bothersome.

Drug and Food Interactions
A doctor should be notified of any other medications being taken, including prescription, nonprescription (over-the-counter), or herbal medications.

Clinical Trials
Click here to search ClinicalTrials.gov for trials that use Atazanavir.

Manufacturer Information
Atazanavir
  Bristol - Myers Squibb Co
  PO Box 4500
  Princeton,  NJ  08543-4500
  (800) 321-1335
    

Reyataz
  Bristol - Myers Squibb Co
  PO Box 4500
  Princeton,  NJ  08543-4500
  (800) 321-1335
    
Updated December 18, 2008