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What is the most important information I should know about atazanavir?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to atazanavir.

Do not take atazanavir together with cisapride (Propulsid), ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), methylergonovine (Methergine), indinavir (Crixivan), irinotecan (Camptosar), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), simvastatin (Zocor), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), or St. John's wort.

There are many other medicines that can interact with atazanavir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Before using atazanavir, tell your doctor if you have liver disease (including hepatitis B or C), kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), diabetes, a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, a heart condition called "AV block," or if you have ever used a protease inhibitor in the past.

Taking atazanavir will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What is atazanavir?

Atazanavir is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Atazanavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Atazanavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Atazanavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Atazanavir may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atazanavir?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to atazanavir.

Do not take atazanavir together with any of the following medicines:

• cisapride (Propulsid);

• ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine);

• indinavir (Crixivan)

• irinotecan (Camptosar);

• lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor) or simvastatin (Zocor)

• midazolam (Versed)

• pimozide (Orap);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

• St. John's wort; or

• triazolam (Halcion).

The medications listed above can cause life-threatening side effects if you take them together with atazanavir.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using atazanavir, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease, including hepatitis B or C;
• kidney disease, or if you are on dialysis;

• diabetes;

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• a heart condition called "AV block"; or

• if you have ever used a protease inhibitor in the past.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.

Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.

Taking atazanavir while using birth control pills or patches can make the atazanavir less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking atazanavir You should not breast-feed while you are using atazanavir. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 3 months old.

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