Atazanavir Drug: Indication, Dosage, Precaution, Side Effect , Storage, Category Type and corresponding Brands - www.genericdrugscan.com

Atazanavir

pronunciation

pronounced as (at a za na' veer)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Atazanavir is used along with other medications, such as ritonavir (Norvir), to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adults and children who are at least 3 months of age and weigh at least 22 lb (10 kg). Atazanavir is in a class of medications called protease inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood. Although atazanavir does not cure HIV, it may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer. Taking these medications along with practicing safer sex and making other life-style changes may decrease the risk of transmitting the HIV virus to other people.

How should this medicine be used?

Atazanavir comes as a capsule and as a powder to take by mouth. The capsule and powder are 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.

Atazanavir powder must be taken with ritonavir (Norvir). Do not take atazanavir powder without ritonavir (Norvir).

Swallow the capsules whole; do not split, chew, or open them. If you are unable to swallow the capsules, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Atazanavir powder may be added to foods such as applesauce or yogurt, or liquids such as water, milk, or infant formula. Mix well, and take all of the mixture right away in order to take the full dose. If mixed with water, eat a snack or meal right away after taking the powder mixture. For infants (older than 3 months of age) unable to drink from a cup, the powder can be mixed with infant formula and given with an oral dosing syringe; do not give the mixture to the infant in a baby bottle. If the mixture is not taken immediately it must be stored at room temperature and taken within 1 hour. Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions that describe how to mix and take a dose of atazanavir. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about how to mix or take this medication.

Talk to the doctor about what to do if your baby vomits, spits up, or only takes part of the dose of atazanavir.

Atazanavir helps to control HIV infection, but it 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. Read this information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What are the precautions to be followed?

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to atazanavir, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in atazanavir capsules or powder. Your doctor may tell you not to take atazanavir. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor if you are taking any of following medications or herbal products: alfuzosin (Uroxatral); cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the US); ergot alkaloids such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergonovine, ergotamine (Ergomar, in Cafergot, in Migergot), or methylergonovine (Methergine); indinavir (Crixivan); irinotecan (Camptosar); lovastatin (Altoprev, in Advicor); midazolam by mouth; nevirapine (Viramune), pimozide (Orap); rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, in Rifater, in Rifamate); sildenafil (only Revatio brand used for lung disease); simvastatin (Zocor, in Simcor, in Vytorin); St. John's wort; and triazolam (Halcion). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take atazanavir if you are taking one or more of these medications.
• 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, Jantoven); antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Silenor, Zonalon), imipramine (Tofranil, Surmontil), protriptyline (Vivactil), trazodone, and trimipramine (Surmontil); certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Nizoral, Xolegel), and voriconazole (Vfend); bepridil (Vascor) (not available in the US); beta blockers such as labetalol (Trandate), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran XL, in Inderide); boceprevir (Victrelis); bosentan (Tracleer); buprenorphine (Buprenex, Butrans, in Bunavail, in Suboxone, in Zubsolv); calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Afeditab, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Verelan, in Tarka, others); certain cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet, in Liptruzet), and rosuvastatin (Crestor); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare); digoxin (Lanoxin); fluticasone (Flonase, Flovent, in Advair); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone), lidocaine (Octocaine, Xylocaine, in Lignospan), and quinidine (in Nuedexta); medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Astagraf, Prograf); other medications for HIV or AIDS including efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra, in Viekira Pak), saquinavir (Invirase), and tenofovir (Viread, in Atripla, in Stribild, in Truvada, others); midazolam by injection; paclitaxel (Abraxane, Taxol); certain phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors) used for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn); repaglinide (Prandin, in Prandimet); quetiapine (Seroquel); rifabutin (Mycobutin); salmeterol (Serevent, in Advair); and tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis). 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, esomeprazole (Nexium, in Vimovo), famotidine (Pepcid, in Duexis), lansoprazole (Prevacid, in Prevpac), nizatidine (Axid), omeprazole (Prilosec, in Zegerid), 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.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking atazanavir, call your doctor. You should not breast-feed if you are infected with HIV and are taking atazanavir.
• you should know that atazanavir may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, and injections). Talk to your doctor about methods of birth control that will work for you while you are taking atazanavir.
• 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.
• if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation), you should know that atazanavir oral powder is sweetened with aspartame that forms phenylalanine.
• 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. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections. If you have new or worsening symptoms at anytime during your treatment with atazanavir, be sure to tell your doctor.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• headache
• depression
• fever
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• muscle pain
• mild rash
• numbness, burning, pain, or tingling of hands or feet

• irregular heartbeat
• dizziness
• feeling faint or lightheadedness
• vision changes
• yellowing of skin or eyes (especially in newborn infants)
• pain in your back or side
• pain or burning with urination
• blood in urine
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• dark-colored urine
• light-colored bowel movements
• erection that lasts longer than 4 hours

• general ill feeling or 'flu-like' symptoms
• fever
• muscle or joint aches
• red or swollen eyes
• blisters or peeling skin
• mouth sores
• swelling of your face or neck
• painful, warm, or red lump under your skin

Atazanavir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container or packet it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children and pets. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.

Drug Category/Class

• Anti-HIV Agents
• Protease Inhibitors
• HIV Protease Inhibitors
• Antiinfectives for Systemic Use
• Direct Acting Antivirals
• Antivirals for Systemic Use
• Combined Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inducers
• CYP3A4 Inhibitors
• Protease inhibitors
• Antivirals for treatment of HIV infections, combinations

Prescribed	Used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, as well as postexposure prophylaxis of HIV infection in ...
Weight :	704.8555
Structure	Atazanavir
Formula	C38H52N6O7

Atazanavir has 5 Brands listed

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