Atazanavir

Reyataz® Logo

Brand name(s): Reyataz®

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking atazanavir,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to atazanavir or any other medications.
• do not take atazanavir if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid), ergot alkaloids such as dihydroergotamine (Migranal, D.H.E. 45), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Cafergot, Ercaf, others), or methylergonovine (Methergine); midazolam (Versed); pimozide (Orap); and triazolam (Halcion).
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking. Be sure to mention amiodarone (Cordarone); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants (mood elevators) such as amitriptyline (Elavil ), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nefazodone (Serzone), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); calcium channel blockers such as bepridil (Vascor), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); carbamazepine (Tegretol); celecoxib (Vioxx); cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), or simvastatin (Zocor); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); clozapine (Olozaril); cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril); danazol (Danocrine); dexamethasone (Decadron); diclofenac (Voltaren); digoxin (Lanoxin); ethosuximide (Zarontin); famotidine (Pepcid); fluvastatin (Lescol); glipizide (Glucotrol); ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin); irbesartan (Avapro); irinotecan (Camptosar); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); medications for irregular heartbeat; medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf); metronidazole (Flagyl); mexiletine (Mexetil); naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); nizatidine (Axid); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); other medications for HIV or AIDS such as delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept); ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase) and tenofovir (Viread); phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); phenytoin (Dilantin); piroxicam (Feldene); proton-pump inhibitors used for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (Aciphex); quinidine (Quinidex); ranitidine (Zantac); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, others); tacrine (Cognex); theophylline (Theo-Dur, others); tolbutamide (Orinase); torsemide (Demadex); troleandomycin (TAO); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• If you are taking antacids, didanosine chewable or dispersible buffered tablets (Videx), or any other buffered medication such as buffered aspirin (Bufferin), take atazanavir 2 hours before or 1 hour after you take these medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if any of the medications you are taking are buffered.
• tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
• tell your doctor if you are taking medications for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra). You should know that atazanavir may increase the chance that you will experience serious side effects from these medications. If you are taking any of these medications and you experience dizziness, fainting, upset stomach, changes in vision, or a painful erection that lasts for several hours, call your doctor right away.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an irregular heartbeat, diabetes, hemophilia (a condition in which the blood does not clot normally), liver disease such as hepatitis (a viral infection of the liver), or 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 breastfeed if you are infected with HIV or 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 your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body such as your breasts, waist, and upper back.

Last Revised: 10/01/2004

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