Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Reyataz

Generic Name: atazanavir (oral) (Pronunciation: a ta ZAN a vir)

• What is atazanavir (Reyataz)?
• What are the possible side effects of atazanavir (Reyataz)?
• What is the most important information I should know about atazanavir (Reyataz)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atazanavir (Reyataz)?
• How should I take atazanavir (Reyataz)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Reyataz)?
• What happens if I overdose (Reyataz)?
• What should I avoid while taking atazanavir (Reyataz)?
• What other drugs will affect atazanavir (Reyataz)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is atazanavir (Reyataz)?

Atazanavir is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Atazanavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

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

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

Reyataz 100 mg

blue/white, imprinted with BMS 100 mg, 3623

Reyataz 150 mg

blue/light blue, imprinted with BMS 150 mg, 3624

Reyataz 200 mg

blue, imprinted with BMS 200 mg, 3631

Reyataz 300 mg

blue/red, imprinted with BMS 300 mg, 3622

What are the possible side effects of atazanavir (Reyataz)?

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

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• increased urination or extreme thirst;
• severe pain in your side or lower back, painful urination, blood in your urine;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• numbness or tingling, especially around your mouth;
• joint pain;
• headache, mood changes; 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.

What is the most important information I should know about atazanavir (Reyataz)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to atazanavir.

Do not take atazanavir together with cisapride (Propulsid), ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), methylergonovine (Methergine), indinavir (Crixivan), irinotecan (Camptosar), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), simvastatin (Zocor), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), or St. John's wort.

There are many other medicines that can interact with atazanavir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Before using atazanavir, tell your doctor if you have liver disease (including hepatitis B or C), kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), diabetes, a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, a heart condition called "AV block," or if you have ever used a protease inhibitor in the past.

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.