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Atazanavir

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Pronounced

"ah-tah-ZAN-ah-veer"

Common brand names:

Reyataz

Uses

This drug is used with other HIV medications to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life.

Atazanavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors. It may be given with certain other medications (such as cobicistat, ritonavir) to increase ("boost") the levels of atazanavir. This helps atazanavir work better.

Atazanavir is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual activity as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This product may also be used to lessen the risk of HIV infection after contact with the virus (for example, due to a needle stick). Ask your doctor for more details.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking atazanavir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with food. Do not open, crush, or chew the capsules. Swallow the capsules whole.

If you are taking atazanavir with certain other medications (such as cobicistat, ritonavir), take them at the same time.

Since this medication may cause kidney problems, drink plenty of fluids during treatment to lower your risk.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Children's dosage is also based on weight. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If you are directed to take ritonavir with this medication, take them both at the same time.

If you are taking antacids or buffered forms of drugs (such as buffered aspirin), take atazanavir at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after these medications.

For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time every day.

It is very important to keep taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Doing so may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2025.