 is a prescription medication used in combination with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Reyataz belongs to a group of medications called protease inhibitors which work by stopping the virus from replicating.This medication comes in capsule form and is taken once daily, with food.Common side effects of Reyataz include nausea, stomach pain, and headaches. "Pin It")
Reyataz Overview
Reyataz (generic: atazanavir) is a prescription medication used in combination with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Reyataz belongs to a group of medications called protease inhibitors which work by stopping the virus from replicating.
This medication comes in capsule form and is taken once daily, with food.
Common side effects of Reyataz include nausea, stomach pain, and headaches.
Uses of Reyataz
Reyataz is a prescription medicine used with other anti-HIV medicines to treat people 6 years of age and older who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Reyataz
The following side effects have been reported with Reyataz:
- Mild rash (redness and itching) without other symptoms sometimes occurs in patients taking Reyataz, most often in the first few weeks after the medicine is started. Rashes usually go away within 2 weeks with no change in treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if rash occurs.
- Severe rash: Rash may develop in association with other symptoms which could be serious and potentially cause death.
If you develop a rash with any of the following symptoms stop using Reyataz and call your healthcare provider right away:
- shortness of breath
- general ill feeling or "flu-like" symptoms
- fever
- muscle or joint aches
- conjunctivitis (red or inflamed eyes, like "pink eye")
- blisters
- mouth sores
- swelling of your face
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes may be due to increases in bilirubin levels in the blood (bilirubin is made by the liver). Although these effects may not be damaging to your liver, skin, or eyes, call your healthcare provider promptly if your skin or the white part of your eyes turn yellow.
- A change in the way your heart beats (heart rhythm change) may occur. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get dizzy or lightheaded. These could be symptoms of a heart problem.
- Diabetes and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) sometimes happen in patients taking protease inhibitor medicines like Reyataz. Some patients had diabetes before taking protease inhibitors while others did not. Some patients may need changes in their diabetes medicine. If you have liver disease including hepatitis B or C, your liver disease may get worse when you take anti-HIV medicines like Reyataz.
- Kidney stones have been reported in patients taking Reyataz. If you develop signs or symptoms of kidney stones (pain in your side, blood in your urine, pain when you urinate) tell your healthcare provider promptly.
- Some patients with hemophilia have increased bleeding problems with protease inhibitors like Reyataz.
- Changes in body fat. These changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck ("buffalo hump"), breast, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time.
- Immune reconstitution syndrome. In some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS) and a history of opportunistic infection, signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment, including Reyataz, is started.
- Other common side effects of Reyataz taken with other anti-HIV medicines include:
- nausea;
- headache;
- stomach pain;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- depression;
- fever;
- dizziness;
- trouble sleeping;
- numbness,
- tingling, or burning of hands or feet;
- muscle pain.
- Gallbladder disorders (which may include gallstones and gallbladder inflammation) have been reported in patients taking Reyataz.
This is not a complete list of Reyataz side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Reyataz Interactions
Do not take Reyataz if you take the following medicines (not all brands may be listed; tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take). Reyataz may cause serious, life-threatening side effects or death when used with these medicines.
- Ergot medicines: dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, and methylergonovine such as Cafergot, Migranal, D.H.E. 45, ergotrate maleate, Methergine, and others (used for migraine headaches).
- Orap (pimozide, used for Tourette’s disorder).
- Propulsid (cisapride, used for certain stomach problems).
- Triazolam, also known as Halcion (used for insomnia).
- Midazolam, also known as Versed (used for sedation), when taken by mouth.
Do not take the following medicines with Reyataz because of possible serious side effects:
- Camptosar (irinotecan, used for cancer).
- Crixivan (indinavir, used for HIV infection). Both Reyataz and Crixivan sometimes cause increased levels of bilirubin in the blood.
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines Mevacor (lovastatin) or Zocor (simvastatin).
- Uroxatral (alfuzosin, used to treat benign enlargement of the prostate).
- Revatio (sildenafil, used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension).
Do not take the following medicines with Reyataz because they may lower the amount of Reyataz in your blood. This may lead to an increased HIV viral load. Resistance to Reyataz or cross-resistance to other HIV medicines may develop:
- Rifampin (also known as Rimactane, Rifadin, Rifater, or Rifamate, used for tuberculosis).
- St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), an herbal product sold as a dietary supplement, or products containing St. John’s wort.
- Viramune (nevirapine, used for HIV infection).
The following medicines are not recommended with Reyataz:
- Serevent Diskus (salmeterol) and Advair (salmeterol with fluticasone), used to treat asthma, emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also known as COPD.
Do not take the following medicine if you are taking Reyataz and Norvir together:
- Vfend (voriconazole).
The following medicines may require your healthcare provider to monitor your therapy more closely (for some medicines a change in the dose or dose schedule may be needed):
- Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), or Viagra (sildenafil), used to treat erectile dysfunction. Reyataz may increase the chances of serious side effects that can happen with Cialis, Levitra, or Viagra. Do not use Cialis, Levitra, or Viagra while you are taking Reyataz unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay.
- Adcirca (tadalafil) or Tracleer (bosentan), used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Lipitor (atorvastatin) or Crestor (rosuvastatin). There is an increased chance of serious side effects if you take Reyataz with this cholesterol-lowering medicine.
- Medicines for abnormal heart rhythm: Cordarone (amiodarone), lidocaine, quinidine (also known as Cardioquin, Quinidex, and others).
- Mycobutin (rifabutin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis).
- Buprenex, Subutex, Suboxone (buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone, used to treat pain and addiction to narcotic painkillers).
- Vascor (bepridil, used for chest pain).
- Coumadin (warfarin).
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as ELAVIL (amitriptyline), NORPRAMIN (desipramine), SINEQUAN(doxepin), SURMONTIL (trimipramine), TOFRANIL (imipramine), or VIVACTIL (protriptyline).
- Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection: SANDIMMUNE or NEORAL (cyclosporin), RAPAMUNE (sirolimus), or PROGRAF (tacrolimus).
- The antidepressant trazodone (DESYREL and others).
- Fluticasone propionate (FLONASE, FLOVENT), given by nose or inhaled to treat allergic symptoms or asthma. Your doctor may choose not to keep you on fluticasone, especially if you are also taking NORVIR.
- Colchicine (COLCRYS), used to prevent or treat gout or treat familial Mediterranean fever.
The following medicines may require a change in the dose or dose schedule of either Reyataz or the other medicine:
- INVIRASE (saquinavir).
- NORVIR (ritonavir).
- SUSTIVA (efavirenz).
- Antacids or buffered medicines.
- VIDEX (didanosine).
- VIREAD (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate).
- MYCOBUTIN (rifabutin).
- Calcium channel blockers such as CARDIZEM or TIAZAC (diltiazem), COVERA-HS or ISOPTIN SR (verapamil) and others.
- BIAXIN (clarithromycin).
- Medicines for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as AXID (nizatidine), PEPCID AC (famotidine), TAGAMET (cimetidine), or ZANTAC (ranitidine).
Reyataz Precautions
Do not take Reyataz if you:
- are taking certain medicines (see Drug Interactions). Serious life-threatening side effects or death may happen. Before you take Reyataz, tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking or planning to take. These include other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
- are allergic to Reyataz or to any of its ingredients. The active ingredient is atazanavir sulfate. Tell your healthcare provider if you think you have had an allergic reaction to any of these ingredients.
Reyataz Food Interactions
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Reyataz and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Inform MD
Tell your healthcare provider:
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Reyataz use during pregnancy has not been associated with an increase in birth defects. Pregnant women have experienced serious side effects when taking Reyataz with other HIV medicines called nucleoside analogues. You and your healthcare provider will need to decide if Reyataz is right for you. If you use Reyataz while you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry.
- After your baby is born, tell your healthcare provider if your baby's skin or the white part of his/her eyes turns yellow.
- If you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed if you are HIV-positive because of the chance of passing HIV to your baby. Also, it is not known if Reyataz can pass into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby. If you are a woman who has or will have a baby, talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.
- If you have liver problems or are infected with the hepatitis B or C virus.
- If you have end stage kidney disease managed with hemodialysis.
- If you have diabetes.
- If you have hemophilia.
- About all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your healthcare provider. For more information, Some medicines can cause serious side effects if taken with Reyataz.
Reyataz and Pregnancy
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Reyataz will harm your unborn baby.
Reyataz and Lactation
Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed if you are HIV-positive because of the chance of passing HIV to your baby. Also, it is not known if Reyataz can pass into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby. If you are a woman who has or will have a baby, talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.
Reyataz Usage
- Take Reyataz once every day exactly as instructed by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the amount of Reyataz that is right for you.
- Always take Reyataz with food (a meal or snack) to help it work better. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not open the capsules. Take Reyataz at the same time each day.
- If you are taking antacids or didanosine (VIDEX or VIDEX EC), take Reyataz 2 hours before or 1 hour after these medicines.
- If you are taking medicines for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as AXID (nizatidine),PEPCID AC (famotidine), TAGAMET (cimetidine), ZANTAC (ranitidine), AcipHex(rabeprazole), NEXIUM (esomeprazole), PREVACID (lansoprazole), PRILOSEC(omeprazole), or PROTONIX (pantoprazole), talk to your healthcare provider.
- Do not change your dose or stop taking Reyataz without first talking with your healthcare provider. It is important to stay under a healthcare provider's care while taking Reyataz.
- When your supply of Reyataz starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. It is important not to run out of Reyataz. The amount of HIV in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time.
- If you miss a dose of Reyataz, take it as soon as possible and then take your next scheduled dose at its regular time. If, however, it is within 6 hours of your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double the next dose. It is important that you do not miss any doses of Reyataz or your other anti-HIV medicines.
- If you take more than the prescribed dose of Reyataz, call your healthcare provider or poison control center right away.
Reyataz Dosage
Take Reyataz exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you. The dosage of Reyataz must be individualized.
The recommended oral dosage of Reyataz depends on the treatment history of the patient and the use of other coadministered drugs. When coadministered with H2-receptor antagonists or proton-pump inhibitors, dose separation may be required.
When coadministered with didanosine buffered or enteric-coated formulations, Reyataz should be given (with food) 2 hours before or 1 hour after didanosine.
Adults: the recommended daily dose range is 300 mg to 400 mg.
Children (patients 6 to less than 18 years of age): the recommended daily dose range is 150 mg to 400 mg.
Reyataz Overdose
If you take more than the prescribed dose of Reyataz, call your healthcare provider or your local Poison Control Center right away.
Forms of Reyataz
Reyataz capsules are available in the following strengths: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg.
Active Ingredient: atazanavir sulfate
Inactive Ingredients: Crospovidone, lactose monohydrate (milk sugar), magnesium stearate, gelatin, FD&C Blue #2, and titanium dioxide. VIDEX and Reyataz are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. COUMADIN and SUSTIVA are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. DESYREL is a registered trademark of Mead Johnson and Company. Other brands listed are the trademarks of their respective owners and
Other Requirements
- Store Reyataz Capsules at room temperature, 59° to 86° F (15° to 30° C). Do not store this medicine in a damp place such as a bathroom medicine cabinet or near the kitchen sink.
- Keep your medicine in a tightly closed container.
- Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets at all times. Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need. Dispose of unused medicines through community take-back disposal programs when available or place Reyataz in an unrecognizable, closed container in the household trash.
