Atazanavir for HIV

About atazanavir

Atazanavir is an antiretroviral medicine. It is prescribed for infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). It slows the progress of HIV infection, but it is not a cure. HIV destroys cells in the body, called CD4 T cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell and are important because they are involved in protecting your body from infection. If left untreated, the HIV infection weakens your immune system so that your body cannot defend itself against bacteria, viruses and other germs. Atazanavir slows down the progress of HIV infection by reducing the amount of virus in your body. It does this by stopping the production of a protein that the virus needs to copy (replicate) itself.

Atazanavir will be prescribed for you by a doctor who is a specialist. It belongs to a group of antiretroviral medicines known as protease inhibitors (PIs). It is given alongside a number of other antiretroviral medicines, as part of a combination therapy. Taking three or more antiretroviral medicines at the same time is more effective than taking one alone. Taking a combination of different medicines also reduces the risk that the virus will become resistant to any individual medicine. One brand of atazanavir called Evotaz® also contains a medicine called cobicistat. Cobicistat boosts the effect of atazanavir. Not all of the information in this document may apply to the combination brand - please refer to the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.

It is vital to take your antiretroviral medicines exactly as prescribed to maintain success and to help to prevent the virus from becoming resistant to the medicines. These medicines are usually taken for life.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking atazanavir it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si estás embarazada, intentando tener un bebé o amamantando.

• Si tienes diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

• If you have liver inflammation (called hepatitis), or any other liver problem.

• Si tienes algún problema con el funcionamiento de tus riñones.

• If you have been told you have a heart rhythm disorder.

• If you have either haemophilia or porphyria, which are both rare inherited blood disorders.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que se pueda comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez has tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.
  

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about atazanavir, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take atazanavir exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usual to take one dose each day. There are several strengths of atazanavir capsule available - your doctor will tell you which is right for you (or your child). It is important that you take atazanavir with food, as this will help your body to absorb the medicine. Swallow the capsule whole with a drink of water. You will also be asked to take a booster medicine (such as ritonavir or cobicistat) at the same time as you take atazanavir.

• Try to take atazanavir at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take it regularly.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it (with something to eat) as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day then leave out the forgotten dose and take your dose that it is due on that day. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

• Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be monitored. You will need to have regular blood tests to check how well your medicines are working.

• It is important that you continue to take atazanavir and your other antiretroviral treatment regularly. This will help to prevent the HIV from becoming resistant to the medicines you are taking. Even if you miss only a small number of doses, the virus can become resistant to treatment.

• If you develop any infection soon after you start this treatment, let your doctor know. As a result of taking atazanavir, your immune system may start fighting an infection which was present before you started the treatment, but which you may not have been aware of.

• Siga cuidadosamente cualquier consejo que le dé su médico sobre hacer cambios en su estilo de vida para reducir cualquier riesgo de daño a su corazón y vasos sanguíneos. Estos pueden incluir dejar de fumar, comer saludablemente y hacer ejercicio regularmente.

• Algunas personas que toman medicamentos antirretrovirales desarrollan cambios en la forma en que la grasa corporal se distribuye en el cuerpo. Esto puede resultar en cambios en la imagen corporal. Su médico discutirá la posibilidad de esto con usted.

• Aunque el tratamiento con medicamentos antirretrovirales puede reducir el riesgo de transmitir el VIH a otros a través del contacto sexual, no lo elimina por completo. Es importante que uses preservativos.

• It is not uncommon for people with HIV to feel low or even depressed, especially soon after the diagnosis has been made and treatment has been started. If you have any feelings of depression, or any distressing thoughts about harming yourself then you should speak with your doctor de inmediato.

• Algunas personas que han tomado medicamentos antirretrovirales (particularmente durante un largo período) han desarrollado una condición llamada osteonecrosis. Esta es una enfermedad ósea donde el tejido óseo muere debido a una reducción en el suministro de sangre. Esto lleva a dolores articulares y rigidez, y puede causar dificultades en el movimiento. Si nota alguno de estos síntomas, hable con su médico.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with atazanavir and your other medicines. This is because some medicines and herbal remedies interfere with atazanavir and stop it from working properly. In particular, do not take indigestion remedies during the two hours before and the two hours after you take your doses, and do not take St John's wort.

• If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood sugar (glucose) more frequently as this medicine can affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• Si vas a someterte a una operación o tratamiento dental, informa a la persona que realiza el tratamiento sobre los medicamentos que estás tomando.

• Treatment for HIV is usually lifelong. Continue to take atazanavir regularly for as long as your doctor tells you to, even if you feel well. This is to keep your immune system healthy.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with atazanavir. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Some people taking atazanavir have developed kidney stones - let your doctor know as soon as possible if you feel pain in your side or when you pass urine, or if you notice any blood in your urine.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.