Reyataz Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and weakens the body’s natural ability to fight illness. Many people experience flu-like symptoms between two to four weeks after infection. Symptoms vary depending on each individual and stage of the disease.

Diagnosing HIV is done through a blood test. Following a diagnosis, fast and appropriate treatment can ensure an excellent quality of life. Patients with untreated HIV can develop acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Reyataz Active Ingredient

Generic Reyataz Alternative:  Reyataz

Reyataz contains the active ingredient atazanavir sulfate, which belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors.

These drugs prevent the ability of the HIV virus to replicate in the body. Reyataz works best when combined with other HIV medications like cobicistat (e.g. Prezcobix) and ritonavir (e.g. Norvir).

General Drug Information

What is Reyataz and What Is It Used For?

Reyataz is prescribed to patients with HIV. It limits the ability of the virus to replicate in the body and thus helps a patient’s immune system work better. This improves quality of life and lowers the risk of complications, such as additional infections and cancer.

Patients should note that Reyataz is not a cure for HIV. Patients must take precautions to ensure they do not spread the virus to others.

This means taking Reyataz and other HIV medications exactly as prescribed, and using reliable protection methods when engaging in sexual activity. Patients should not share personal items – toothbrushes, razors, needles, or syringes – that may have been in contact with blood or other bodily fluids.

Usage and Application

Reyataz should be taken as prescribed by a patient’s doctor, and the dosage is dependent on the patient’s medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications they may be taking. Patients should inform their physician about all prescription drugs and supplements they are taking. In children, the dosage is also based on weight.

Most patients are prescribed one daily oral dose, usually with food. Patients should swallow the capsules whole. They should not open, crush, or chew them.

Patients who have been prescribed combination therapy (and also need to take drugs like cobicistat and ritonavir) need to take these medications at the same time as Reyataz.

Those who take antacids or buffered forms of drugs – like didanosine solution, or didanosine enteric-coated capsules – need to take Reyataz at least two hours before or one hour after such medications.

Reyataz works best when taken at evenly-spaced intervals, as drug levels in the body need to remain constant. To help patients remember, it is recommended to take Reyataz at the same time each day.

Patients should continue to take this medication exactly as prescribed by their doctor. Do not skip doses. Do not take higher or lower doses than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medication, even for a short period of time. This may make the infection more difficult to treat and may worsen side effects.

Considerations Before Taking Reyataz

Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Reyataz.

It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially any liver problems like hepatitis B or C. Diabetes, kidney problems, and hemophilia should also be discussed. It is important that patients mention heart problems like irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease, and any history of heart attack.

This medication may increase levels of cholesterol and fats in the blood. This, coupled with the effect of the HIV infection, may increase the risk of problems like heart attack. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with their doctor.

They should also evaluate the risk of heart disease, existing heart problems, and factors that can further contribute to problems, including smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Patients preparing for surgical procedures need to inform their doctor or dentist of all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products they are taking.

Reyataz can have very serious side effects in children under three months. It is not allowed for use in such cases.

Women who are pregnant – or planning on becoming pregnant – need to discuss the risks and benefits of Reyataz treatment with their doctor. Reyataz can lower the risk of passing HIV to an unborn baby.

Reyataz passes into breast milk. HIV-positive mothers are not advised to breastfeed as this can pass on the virus to their infants.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

It is important not to miss any doses of this medication. Patients who miss a dose of Reyataz should take it as soon as they remember unless they remember six hours before the time of the next dose. If this is the case, patients should skip the missed dose and resume their usual dosing schedule. Patients should not double up on the dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Reyataz

Drug interactions may change the way Reyataz works and can increase the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor.

Certain medications – like the weight-loss drug Alli – may negatively affect the way Reyataz works. The list includes some medications for chronic hepatitis C, like boceprevir, simeprevir, and elbasvir/grazoprevir. Also included are the HIV drugs nevirapine and indinavir, as well as the HIV combination medication elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir.

Other drugs – like the antibiotics rifampin and rifapentine – may affect the way the body removes Reyataz, changing the way it works. Additional examples include bosentan (used to treat pulmonary artery hypertension), and the HIV medications efavirenz and etravirine.

The herb St. John’s wort and some anticonvulsant drugs like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone have a similar effect.

Prescription and nonprescription medications for heartburn, indigestion, and ulcers reduce stomach acid and decrease the absorption of Reyataz. This can prevent it from working effectively. Examples of such drugs include famotidine and lansoprazole/omeprazole.

Reyataz can also affect how a number of drugs function. Examples include anti-cholesterol drugs like lovastatin and simvastatin, as well as salmeterol (an active ingredient in asthma medications like Serevent Diskus). This is also the case with some alpha-blockers like the prostate medications alfuzosin and silodosin, and some psychoactive drugs like midazolam and triazolam.

Reyataz interferes with the cancer drug irinotecan, and the medication dronedarone, which is used to treat irregular heart rhythm. Negative interactions are possible with some antipsychotic drugs like pimozide and lurasidone, sildenafil (used to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension), and with some migraine medications like dihydroergotamine and

Ergotamine.

Reyataz may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, causing pregnancy. Female patients need to discuss reliable birth control methods with their doctor. In addition, it is important to always use a reliable barrier method in order to prevent spreading HIV to sexual partners. Women on birth control should report any spotting or breakthrough bleeding to their doctor as these symptoms may mean their birth control is not working effectively.

Adverse Reactions

Many patients take Reyataz safely without serious side effects.

Some patients may experience a headache or nausea. Patients should seek medical help if these problems persist or worsen.

Reyataz is prescribed to improve immune system function in order to fight HIV more effectively. As the immune system gets stronger, it can begin to fight infections patients already have, possibly causing the symptoms of these infections to return. It is also possible that a patient’s immune system may become overactive soon after starting treatment or months later.

Patients should seek medical help if they experience unexplained weight loss, severe tiredness, joint pain, muscle weakness, and persistent, severe headaches. Additional symptoms may include numbness or tingling of the extremities, vision changes, and signs of infection such as chills, swollen lymph nodes, trouble breathing, coughing, and skin sores that don’t heal.

Immune system hyperfunction also manifests as an overactive thyroid. Symptoms may include irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, and an unusual growth in the neck (known as a goiter).

Patients should also monitor for signs of a certain kind of nerve condition known as Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can manifest in trouble breathing, swallowing, eye movement, facial drooping, paralysis, and trouble speaking.

Serious side effects include the yellowing of eyes and/or skin, increased thirst and urination, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Patients should monitor for signs of kidney problems like pain in the back or abdomen, painful urination, blood in the urine, and changes in the amount of urine. Patients should seek medical help in the event of such symptoms.

Side effects may also include changes in body fat (manifesting as increased fat in the upper back and stomach), and decreased fat in the arms and legs. The cause and long-term effect of these changes are not yet known. Exercise may help to reduce these side effects.

Patients should seek immediate medical help in the event of symptoms of heart attack: shortness of breath, unusual sweating, and pain in the chest, jaw, and/or left arm.

Reyataz may cause a rash that is usually not serious. However, it may be difficult to tell it apart from a rare rash, which can be a symptom of a severe reaction. It is best to seek medical attention in the event of any kind of rash.

Serious allergic reactions to Reyataz are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergy symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

This is not a full list of side effects.

How to Store Reyataz

Reyataz should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. The liquid form of the medication can also be stored in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.