Generic Name: atazanavir
Abbreviation: ATV
Drug Class: Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
Company: Bristol-Myers Squibb
Approval Status: Approved
Generic Version Available: Yes
Drug Indication
A component of alternative treatment regimens for antiretroviral-naive people living with HIV, as indicated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. Visit https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/1/adult-and-adolescent-arv-guidelines/0 for the full DHHS guidelines.
General Info
Reyataz is an HIV medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines called protease inhibitors. Reyataz was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use by people living with HIV in 2003.
Reyataz must be combined with other HIV drugs.
Reyataz is available as a single drug or in the fixed-dose combination drug Evotaz.
Dosage
Adult Dose: Two 200 mg capsules once a day OR one 300 mg capsule plus one 100 mg Norvir tablet once a day.
Pediatric Dose: Ages 3 months to 18 years: dosing based on body weight and should not exceed the adult daily dose. A powdered formulation is available.
Dosing Info: Take with food.
Side Effects
Reyataz can increase levels of bilirubin, a pigment found in the blood. Increased bilirubin can cause the skin, nails, and the whites of the eyes to appear yellowish-brown. Increased bilirubin can also be a sign of liver damage. However, in people who have taken Reyataz or Evotaz in clinical trials, an increase in bilirubin has not been associated with any other signs of liver damage.
There have been reports of patients developing gallstones (cholelithiasis) or kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) while on HIV drug regimens containing Reyataz or Evotaz.
Changes in the way your heart beats may occur when taking Reyataz. If you get dizzy or lightheaded these could be symptoms of a heart problem and should be reported to your health care provider immediately.
Other possible side effects of Reyataz include headaches, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and rash.
Some people may experience increases in their lipid levels (triglycerides and cholesterol) or diabetes risk while being treated with protease inhibitors. These problems are much less common with atazanavir-based regimens compared with most other protease inhibitors.
Drug-induced hepatitis (liver injury) has been reported in people taking protease inhibitors. This usually occurred in people who had extremely low CD4 cells, were taking multiple other medications and who were also infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Lab tests to monitor liver function is an important component of routine follow-up care and important for people using protease inhibitors.
Drug Interactions
The following medications should not be taken while you are being treated with Reyataz:
Acid reflux/heartburn medications: Propulsid (cisapride)
Antibiotics: Rifadin (rifampin)
Antimigraine medications: Methergine, Methylergometrine (methylergonovine); Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine (ergotamine); Ergotrate, Methergine (ergonovine); or D.H.E. 45, Migranal (dihydroergotamine)
Anti-gout: Colcrys (colchicine)
Chemotherapeutic drugs: Camptosar (irinotecan)
Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins): Zocor (simvastatin) and Mevacor (lovastatin)
HIV medications: Crixivan (indinavir), VIramune/Viramune XR (nevirapine) Sedatives: Versed (midazolam) and Halcion (triazolam)
Enlarged prostate: Uroxatral (alfuzosin)
Pulmonary Hypertension: Revatio (sildenafil)
Herbal products: St. John’s wort
Important hepatitis C treatment drug-drug interactions: Norvir-boosted Reytaz can be combined with Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir), ribavirin, and pegylated interferon alfa. Do not use with Olysio/Sovriad (simeprevir) or Viekira Pak (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir).
Reyataz, particularly when combined with Norvir or as a component of Evotaz, can increase the levels of many other drugs in the body, potentially increasing the risk of serious side effects. Dosage adjustments or substitutions may be necessary if you are prescribed certain medications from any of the following drug classes: antiarrhythmics, antibiotics, cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antifungals, anti-gout medications, antimalarial drugs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, corticosteroids (oral and inhaled), endothelin receptor antagonists, hepatitis C medications, statins, hormonal contraceptives, immune-suppressants, inhaled beta agonists, narcotic medications (for pain and opioid dependence), neuroleptics/anti-seizure medications, erectile dysfunction drugs, and sedatives/hypnotics. Consult the Reyataz package insert for more details: http://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_reyataz.pdf
Other Info
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or liver disease (including hepatitis B). In addition, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, if you are breastfeeding, and all your medical conditions.
It is also very important that your health care provider and pharmacist know all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you are taking at all times while using an HIV treatment regimen that contains Reyataz.
For More Info: http://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_reyataz.pdf
Co-Pay Program Info: https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/drug-assistance-programs
Patient Assistance Program Info: https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/drug-assistance-programs
Last Reviewed: May 11, 2020
