Atazanavir

Atazanavir is used in combination with other medications to treat HIV infection (human immunodeficiency virus). Atazanavir is in a class of medications called HIV protease inhibitors. It works by slowing the spread of HIV in the body. Atazanavir will not cure HIV and may not prevent you from developing HIV-related illnesses. Atazanavir will not prevent you from spreading HIV to other people.

Atazanavir comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with a meal or snack. Take atazanavir at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take atazanavir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. You will take other medications for HIV while you are taking atazanavir. Your doctor will tell you whether these medications should be taken at the same time as atazanavir, or several hours before or after you take atazanavir. Follow this schedule carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the times you should take your medications. Swallow the capsules whole; do not split, chew, or open them. Atazanavir helps to control HIV infection, but does not cure it. Continue to take atazanavir even if you feel well. Do not stop taking atazanavir without talking to your doctor. When your supply of atazanavir starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist. If you stop taking atazanavir or skip doses, your condition may become more difficult to treat. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Atazanavir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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nausea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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headache</li>
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depression</li>
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fever</li>
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difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep</li>
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muscle pain</li>
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rash</li>
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numbness, burning, pain, or tingling of hands or feet</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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irregular heartbeat</li>
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dizziness</li>
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lightheadedness</li>
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yellowing of skin or eyes</li>
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pain in your back or side</li>
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pain or burning with urination</li>
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blood in urine</li></ul>If you develop a rash or changes in the appearance of your skin along with any of the following symptoms, stop taking atazanavir and call your doctor immediately:

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shortness of breath</li>
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general ill feeling or 'flu-like' symptoms</li>
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fever</li>
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muscle or joint aches</li>
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red or swollen eyes</li>
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blisters</li>
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mouth sores</li>
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swelling of your face or neck</li>
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yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
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vomiting</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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dark-colored urine</li>
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decreased urination</li>
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light-colored bowel movements</li></ul>Atazanavir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking atazanavir, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to atazanavir or any other medications. tell your doctor if you are taking any of following medications or herbal products: cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the US); ergot alkaloids such as dihydroergotamine (Migranal, D.H.E. 45), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Cafergot, Ercaf, others), or methylergonovine (Methergine); indinavir (Crixivan); irinotecan (Camptosar); lovastatin (Mevacor); midazolam (Versed) by mouth; pimozide (Orap); rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, in Rifater, in Rifamate,); simvastatin (Zocor); St. John's wort; and triazolam (Halcion). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take atazanavir. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, herbal products, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as amitriptyline (Elavil, others ),desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); beta blockers such as labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); calcium channel blockers such as bepridil (Vascor) (not available in the US), diltiazem (Cardizem, Covera, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); carbamazepine (Tegretol); certain cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet), and rosuvastatin (Crestor); clarithromycin (Biaxin, Prevpac); digoxin (Lanoxin, Digitek); fluticasone (Advair, Flonase, Flovent); medications for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), lidocaine (Xylocaine), and quinidine; medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune),sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf); other medications for HIV or AIDS including efavirenz (Sustiva), nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Invirase),and tenofovir (Viread, in Atripla, in Truvada); paclitaxel (Taxol);repaglinide (Prandin); rifabutin (Mycobutin); and trazodone. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with atazanavir, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. If you are taking antacids, didanosine delayed-release capsules (Videx EC), or any other buffered medication such as buffered aspirin (Bufferin), take atazanavir 2 hours before or 1 hour after you take the medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if any of the medications you are taking are buffered. tell your doctor if you are taking a medication for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), esomeprazole (Nexium), famotidine (Pepcid), lansoprazole (Prevacid), nizatidine (Axid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), or ranitidine (Zantac). Your doctor may tell you not to take the medication or to take a lower dose of the medication. If you are to continue taking the medication, your doctor will tell you how much time you should allow between taking the medication and taking atazanavir. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an irregular heartbeat, diabetes or high blood sugar, hemophilia (a condition in which the blood does not clot normally) or any other bleeding disorder, hepatitis (a viral infection of the liver) or any other liver disease, kidney or heart disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking atazanavir. you should know that you may experience hyperglycemia (increases in your blood sugar) while you are taking this medication, even if you do not already have diabetes. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms while you are taking atazanavir: extreme thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, blurred vision, or weakness. It is very important to call your doctor as soon as you have any of these symptoms, because high blood sugar that is not treated can cause a serious condition called ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis may become life-threatening if it is not treated at an early stage. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include: dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, breath that smells fruity, and decreased consciousness. you should know that while you are taking atazanavir your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body such as the back of your neck and upper shoulders ('buffalo hump'), stomach, and breasts. You may lose fat from your arms, legs, face, and buttocks. Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these changes in your body fat. you should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body, such as pneumonia, herpes virus, tuberculosis, hepatitis, or a fungal infection. If you have new or worsening symptoms after starting treatment with atazanavir, be sure to tell your doctor.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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yellowing of skin or eyes</li></ul>