If you are living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), you have probably heard of the drug Atazanavir, and perhaps you are taking it. This is a very important drug in your treatment journey. We call these types of drugs ``(Antiretroviral)`` drugs. So, today we will talk about this drug, what it does, and what you need to be careful about while using it, in a friendly and simple way.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, Atazanavir is a drug that controls the spread of HIV in the body, that is, it reduces the activity of the virus. It is usually given in combination with other HIV medications.
The important thing is that this is not a cure for HIV, but it can help you control the virus and live a healthy life.
Also, remember that taking this medicine does not completely eliminate the risk of transmitting HIV to others. Therefore, it is essential to continue to follow safe methods. Talk to your doctor about this further.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
For your safety, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions below before starting this medication.
- If you have diabetes.
- If you have blood clotting disorders such as hemophilia.
- If you have an irregular heartbeat.
- If you have kidney disease.
- If you have liver disease.
- If you have an allergy to atazanavir or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of your medication, you need to take it exactly as prescribed.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water.
- Always take this medicine with a meal .
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day. Make this a habit.
- Do not take more medication than your doctor prescribes for any reason.
- Do not stop taking the medicine or skip a dose, even if you feel better. Doing so can cause the HIV virus to become resistant to this medicine and other medicines. This means that the medicine may stop working in the future. Do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.
If you give it to children...
This medicine is sometimes given to children over 6 years of age. However, there are special precautions. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to your child, talk to your pediatrician about it.
Overdose
If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Medicines that should not be used with Atazanavir and which you should be careful with
This is a very important part. Atazanavir is a drug that can interact with many other medications. So it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking, including herbs, vitamins, and even over-the-counter medications.
| Drug category | Examples and descriptions |
|---|---|
| Medicines that should never be taken with Atazanavir (DO NOT take with these) | |
| Medicines for various diseases | alfuzosin, belinostat, cisapride, etravirine, indinavir, irinotecan, lomitapide, lovastatin, midazolam, naloxegol, nevirapine, pimozide, rifampin, rifapentine, simvastatin, triazolam, zalcitabine |
| Some medicines for headaches | dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine |
| For liver diseases | elbasvir; grazoprevir |
| Pulmonary hypertension | sildenafil (when given as Revatio) |
| Herbal products | St. John's wort, Red yeast rice |
| Medicines that may interact with Atazanavir, which should be taken with caution (Take with CAUTION, may interact) | |
| For stomach problems | Antacids, cimetidine, famotidine, omeprazole, lansoprazole, etc. |
| Blood pressure, heart disease | Some medications given for these conditions |
| For cholesterol | Medicines like atorvastatin, rosuvastatin |
| For mental illness, depression | Medications such as lurasidone and quetiapine |
| Family planning pills | Birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin |
| Other | buprenorphine, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, fluticasone, rifabutin, salmeterol, sirolimus, tacrolimus, warfarin, medicines for fungal infections, medicines for epilepsy, other HIV medicines. |
Things you should pay attention to when taking the medicine
- Regular medical checkups: Keep seeing your doctor and get the necessary blood tests. Talk to him about any new symptoms.
- Serious skin reactions: Some people may develop a serious skin reaction even weeks after starting this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have a fever, body aches, a red or purple rash, blistering, or peeling skin . Also, if you have a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or a rash on the neck or armpits, this can be a serious sign.
- Family planning methods: Birth control pills may be less effective while taking this medication. So talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control, such as condoms.
- Blood sugar levels: This medication may increase your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor if you need to make any changes to your diet or medications.
- Kidney function: As it may affect the kidneys, drink plenty of water while taking this medicine.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Atazanavir can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergies such as skin rashes , itching, swelling | Swelling of the legs, neck, and extremities, accompanied by fever |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes/skin, pain in the upper right side of the stomach, nausea, loss of appetite |
| Symptoms of kidney damage | Difficulty urinating, change in the amount of urine you pass, blood in your urine, lower back pain |
| Other serious symptoms | Signs of infection such as irregular heartbeat, fainting, fever, chills |
| If these persist or become bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Depressed mood | Diarrhea |
| Dizziness | Headache |
| Muscle pain | Trouble sleeping |
| Numbness in the hands, feet, and around the mouth | Weight gain in the waist and back area and thinning of the face, arms, and legs |
This list does not include all side effects. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Atazanavir is a drug that controls the HIV virus, but it does not completely cure it.
- Do not skip a dose for any reason. Take your medicine at the same time every day, with food.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, even vitamins.
- Be very careful of serious skin lesions that come with a fever. If such a thing happens, seek medical advice immediately.
- Since birth control pills may be less effective when taking this medication, talk to your doctor about using another form of contraception, such as condoms.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medicine, never be afraid to ask your doctor.
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