Atazanavir, Ritonavir is an antiviral medication developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration for treating HIV-1 infection.

Atazanavir, Ritonavir work together to inhibit the protease enzyme, which is necessary for the replication of HIV. By blocking this enzyme, this drug prevents the virus from multiplying and spreading in the body. It mainly helps reduce the viral load and slow the progression of HIV infection.

It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Atazanavir, Ritonavir based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet with or without food. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Atazanavir, Ritonavir are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rash, fatigue, headache, fever, depression, insomnia, dizziness, and muscle pain.

Do not take this drug if you are allergic to Atazanavir, Ritonavir, and other ingredients. During the early stages of HIV-1 treatment, some patients may experience an inflammatory response to opportunistic infections. This condition is called immune reconstitution syndrome. It can occur after starting the drug or other antiretroviral therapies. Knowing this possibility and monitoring for any signs of worsening infections or inflammatory symptoms is necessary. Inform your healthcare provider if the symptoms concern you or persist longer than usual. PR interval prolongation may occur in some patients. Use caution in patients with preexisting conduction system disease or when administered with other drugs that may prolong the PR interval. Patients with advanced HIV may be at increased risk of elevated triglycerides and pancreatitis (a condition caused by inflammation of the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach). If you have a history of pancreatitis, you may have a greater chance of it returning during treatment with this drug.

Atazanavir, Ritonavir is generally not recommended for individuals with hepatic impairment because these medications are primarily metabolized in the liver. Hepatic impairment can affect the liver's ability to properly metabolize drugs, leading to potential accumulation of the medications in the body and an increased risk of adverse effects. Therefore, caution is advised, and alternative treatment options may be considered for individuals with hepatic impairment. The doctor will monitor liver function before and during therapy, especially in patients with underlying hepatic disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C, or marked transaminase elevations. Individuals may experience hepatotoxicity when taking this drug. Most patients experience asymptomatic increases in indirect bilirubin, reversible upon discontinuation. Do not reduce the dose. If a concomitant transaminase increase occurs, your doctor will evaluate for alternative etiologies. This tablet contains lactose as an inactive ingredient in which the body cannot digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. It can cause symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain. If you have lactose intolerance, inform your doctor before starting this therapy.

To prevent the spread of HIV-1 infection, avoid sharing needles or syringes, which can transmit HIV-1 infections easily. It's necessary for individuals who use injectable drugs to use sterile needles and syringes and never share them with others. Personal items like toothbrushes, razor blades, or anything with body fluids or blood on them should also be avoided. They should not be shared because HIV-1 can be present in blood and certain body fluids, and sharing these items could mainly transmit the virus. Do not have any sex without protection. It is necessary to practice safe sex using a polyurethane condom or latex to lower the risk of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.

If you must remember to take Atazanavir, Ritonavir for the entire day, take your usual dose the next day. However, do not double-dose yourself. Do not store this tablet in a moist place like a bathroom cabinet or near the kitchen sink. Keep your tablet in a tightly closed container. Do not accept if the seal over the bottle opening is broken or missing. This medicine was prescribed for your specific condition. Please do not use it for other conditions. Do not give this tablet to other people, even if they have the same symptoms like you have. It may harm them.

1. Cipla Ltd, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on October 2017] [ Accessed on 18th May 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/pepfar/206451PI.pdf
2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antiviral drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 809 - 810.
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Antiretroviral agents and treatment of HIV infection, 12th Edition, 2011, Page: 1623-1660.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment