Atazanavir capsules

What are atazanavir capsules?

ATAZANAVIR (Reyataz™) is an antiviral drug called a protease inhibitor. Atazanavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Atazanavir may reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase the number of CD4 cells (T-cells) in the blood. Atazanavir is used in combination with other drugs to treat HIV. For example, if you are taking atazanavir and efavirenz, you should also be taking ritonavir. Atazanavir will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS. You may still develop other infections or conditions associated with HIV. Generic atazanavir capsules are not yet available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• hemophilia A or B

• high blood levels of bilirubin

• jaundice

• liver disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to atazanavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• breast-feeding

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

How should this medicine be used?

Take atazanavir capsules by mouth. Do not open the capsules. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take atazanavir with a light snack or meal. Avoid taking atazanavir on an empty stomach, with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, or with a high fat meal. Do not take within two hours of antacid or buffered didanosine (ddI) use. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

To help to make sure that your anti-HIV therapy works as well as possible, be very careful to take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take the dose immediately. Then, take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. You need to take atazanavir every 24 hours. Do not take more or less than your prescribed dose. If you miss multiple doses in a row or miss doses on several occasions, contact your health care professional.

What drug(s) may interact with atazanavir?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• certain medicines for stomach problems like esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole

• cisapride

• dofetilide

• etravirine

• lovastatin

• medicines for headaches like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

• midazolam

• pimozide

• ranolazine

• red yeast rice

• rifampin

• rifapentine

• simvastatin

• St. John's wort

• triazolam

• zalcitabine

• ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• antacids or buffered medications

• birth control pills or patch

• clarithromycin

• cyclosporine

• fluticasone

• indinavir

• irinotecan

• medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

• medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin or rosuvastatin

• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

• medicines for erectile dysfunction

• medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole

• medicines for stomach problems like cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine

• other medicines for HIV

• rifabutin

• sirolimus

• tacrolimus

• warfarin

What should I watch for while taking atazanavir?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your prescriber or health care professional.

Atazanavir will not cure HIV and you can still get other illnesses or complications associated with your disease. Taking atazanavir does not reduce the risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual or blood contact. It is best to avoid sexual contact so that you do not spread the disease to others. For any sexual contact, use a condom. Be careful about cuts, abrasions and other possible sources of blood contact. Never share a needle or syringe with anyone.

If you are a women of childbearing age and are using hormone contraceptives, then you should use another form of birth control while taking atazanavir. Atazanavir may decrease the effectiveness of hormone birth control agents, including birth control pills and injections.

Do not take antacids or buffered didanosine, ddI, within 2 hours of taking atazanavir. These drugs may decrease the amount of atazanavir you may absorb.

Know when you will run out of atazanavir. Fill your prescription before you run out of medicine. It is important to not miss even a single day of atazanavir.

What side effects may I notice from receiving atazanavir?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• blood in the urine

• muscle pain

• pain in the lower back or side

• pain when urinating

• severe nausea and vomiting

• severe stomach pain

• skin rash or itchy skin

• sore throat, fever, or other sign or symptom of an infection

• unusual bleeding, black tarry stools, or coughing up blood

• unusual tiredness or weakness

• yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in body appearance (such as weight gain or loss around the waist and/or face)

• diarrhea

• headache

• nausea

• stomach pain

• tingling or burning in your arms or legs

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store tightly closed at controlled room temperature between 15 degrees—30 degrees C (59 degrees—86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.