II. Indications
- HIV Infection in Treatment Naive Patients (as part of combination therapy)
III. Contraindications
- Age <3 months old (Kernicterus risk)
- Severe hepatic Impairment (Child-Pugh Class C)
- Exercise caution in (Child-Pugh Class B) and consider Atrazanavir dose reduction
- Hemodialysis patients who are treament experienced
IV. Mechanism
V. Medications
- Atazanavir (Rayataz)
- Typically combined wiith Ritonavir as separate tablet
- Capsules: 150, 200 and 300 mg
- Powder for Oral Solution: 50 mg
- Atazanavir with Cobicistat (Evotaz)
- Atazanavir/Cobicistat Tablet: 300 mg/150 mg
VI. Dosing
- Combined with other Antiretroviral agents
- Take Atazanavir with food
- Adult
- Atazanavir 300 mg (400 mg when used with Efavirenz or Tenofovir, or H2 Blocker) AND
- Boosting Medication (one of the following)
- Ritonavir 100 mg OR
- Cobicistat 150 mg
- Child using powder solution (age >=3 months, weight <25 kg)
- Child using capsules (age >=6 years)
VII. Adverse Effects
- See Protease Inhibitor for adverse effects attributed to the class
- Unlike most Protease Inhibitors, does not appear to cause significant Hyperlipidemia
- Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia
- Atazanavir inhibits UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT)
- Poor UGT1A1 metabolizers may demonstrate Jaundice
- Risk of Kernicterus (contraindicated in age <3 months)
- Obtain baseline and periodic Liver Function Tests
- Exercise caution in (Child-Pugh Class B) and consider Atrazanavir dose reduction
- Rash (20%)
- Does not typically require stopping the medication
- Nephrolithiasis
-
Interstitial Nephritis
- Obtain baseline and periodic Urinalysis and Renal Function tests
- Cholelithiasis
- EKG Abnormalities
- PR prolongation
- Second degree AV Block
- Other cardiac conduction abnormalities
VIII. Drug Interactions
- Multiple Drug Interactions related to Atazanavir as a CYP1A2 Inhibitor, CYP2C9 Inhibitor, CYP3A4 inhibitor
- As with other Protease Inhibitors, check a formal Drug Interaction application before prescribing
- Acid suppressants (Proton Pump Inhibitors, H2 Blockers)
- Atrazanavir requires acid in Stomache for absorption
- Proton Pump Inhibitors can render Atrazanavir ineffective and results in a high risk of developing resistance
- Avoid concurrent use in treatment experienced patients
- If PPIs are used, limit to Omeprazole 20 mg/day spaced 12 hours from Atrazanavir dose
- H2 Blockers
- Dose of Atazanavir is increased to 400 mg/day
- Dose H2 Blocker either at same time or at least 10 hours before
- Limit dose to Famotidine 40 mg twice daily (treatment naive) or 20 mg twice daily (experienced)
- Antacid Salts (or buffered Didanosine)
- Give Atazanavir 2 hours before or 1 hour after
-
Tenofovir
- Dose of Atazanavir is increased to 400 mg/day
-
Indinavir
- Contraindicated (risk of worsened Hyperbilirubinemia)
-
Nevirapine
- Contraindicated
-
Clarithromycin
- Decrease Clarithromycin dose 50% and consider alternative agents (e.g. for Mycobacterium Avium Complex)
-
Voriconazole
- Ritonavir decreases Voriconazole levels and efficacy
- Avoid concurrent use if possible
-
Diltiazem
- Consider reducing Diltiazem dose by 50%
- Monitor EKG
-
Seizure Medications (Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin)
- Monitor drug levels
-
Buprenorphine
- Increased sedation risk
-
Oral Contraceptive (OCP)
- Reduced efficacy (use OCP with at least 35 mcg Ethinyl Estradiol)
-
Tricyclic Antidepressants
- Monitor levels
-
Immunosuppressants
- Monitor levels
IX. Safety
- Avoid in Lactation
- Pregnancy
- Among preferred Protease Inhibitors in pregnant women who are HIV Treatment naive
X. Resources
- Atazanavir (DailyMed)
- Atazanavir with Cobicistat (DailyMed)
XI. References
- Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia
- (2009) Treat Guidel Med Lett 7(78): 11-22 [PubMed]
- Reust (2011) Am Fam Physician 83(12): 1443-51 [PubMed]
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Related Studies
atazanavir (on 10/19/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
ATAZANAVIR SULFATE 300 MG CAP | Generic | $3.50 each |
evotaz (on 11/23/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
EVOTAZ 300 MG-150 MG TABLET | $52.10 each |