What is Atazanavir? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Atazanavir

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

• Atazanavir is used together with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all of the medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of day and in the correct order. Do not stop using your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

• Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

• Capsule: Swallow the capsule whole. Do not open it.

• Powder: Mix oral powder with food (including applesauce or yogurt) or a beverage (including milk, infant formula, or water) as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. After mixing your medicine with food or liquid, use the mixture right away or within 1 hour. Be sure to drink or swallow all of it.

• Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even briefly, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is running low so you do not run out.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not open a packet of oral powder until you are ready to use it. You may keep the powder with food or liquid mixture at room temperature for up to 1 hour.

• Powder: Mix oral powder with food (including applesauce or yogurt) or a beverage (including milk, infant formula, or water) as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. After mixing your medicine with food or liquid, use the mixture right away or within 1 hour. Be sure to drink or swallow all of it.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

• Capsule: Swallow the capsule whole. Do not open it.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

• Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even briefly, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is running low so you do not run out.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not open a packet of oral powder until you are ready to use it. You may keep the powder with food or liquid mixture at room temperature for up to 1 hour.

• Atazanavir is used together with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all of the medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of day and in the correct order. Do not stop using your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

What to do if you miss a dose of Atazanavir

Atazanavir contraindications - Who shouldn't take Atazanavir?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to atazanavir.

Atazanavir warnings

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including hepatitis B or C), diabetes, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, hemophilia, or phenylketonuria (PKU).

• Do not breastfeed. You can spread HIV or AIDS to your baby through your breast milk.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Heart rhythm problemsSerious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic skin eruptionsLiver problemsKidney problems, including chronic kidney diseaseIncreased risk of kidney stones or gallstonesHigh blood sugar levels, which could become permanent

• Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking an HIV medicine. Infections that were hidden in your body, including pneumonia or tuberculosis, might start to have symptoms. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health.

• This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Atazanavir interactions & what to avoid when taking Atazanavir

• Do not use this medicine together with alfuzosin, cisapride, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, dihydroergotamine, elbasvir/grazoprevir, ergonovine, ergotamine, indinavir, irinotecan, lomitapide, lovastatin, lurasidone, methylergonovine, midazolam, nevirapine, pimozide, rifampin, sildenafil, simvastatin, St John's wort, triazolam, or voxilaprevir/sofosbuvir/velpatasvir.

• Many other drugs can interact with atazanavir. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.

• If you also use an antacid or didanosine, take atazanavir 2 hours before or 1 hour after you take these medicines.

• Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking an HIV medicine. Infections that were hidden in your body, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, might start to have symptoms. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health.

• This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.