reyataz

Reyataz (atazanavir) is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

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

Reyataz may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use Reyataz if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to atazanavir.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Reyataz. 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).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Reyataz if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to atazanavir.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Reyataz. 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.

To make sure Reyataz is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• 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.

This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection. Reyataz must be given together with ritonavir during pregnancy and for a short time after childbirth. Follow your doctor"s dosing instructions very carefully.

Reyataz 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 Reyataz.

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 Reyataz alone (without ritonavir) to a child younger than 13 years old, or to a child who weighs less than 88 pounds.

How should I take Reyataz?

Take Reyataz exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Reyataz is often used together with another medicine called ritonavir (Norvir).

Taje your dose once daily with food. Swallow the capsule whole.

Use Reyataz regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

While using Reyataz, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor"s office. Your liver function may also need to be checked.

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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid?

If you also take didanosine (Videx), take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Reyataz. Avoid using antacids or buffered aspirin within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Reyataz.

Taking this medication 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.

Reyataz side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Reyataz: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Reyataz 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 started treatment. 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.

Stop taking Reyataz and call your doctor at once if you have:

• 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.

Common Reyataz side effects may include:

• 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).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Reyataz?

Many drugs can interact with Reyataz. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with Reyataz, 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.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with Reyataz. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.