ATAZANAVIR + RITONAVIR (ATV/r)

Protease inhibitor (PI) antiretroviral medicines; ritonavir is a booster that increases the effect of atazanavir.

Dosage Forms

▼

Tablet

ATV 300 mg + RTV 100 mg

Uses

▼
  • HIV/AIDS

Dose and Duration

▼
HIV infection, second line treatment for adults and children 10–15 years of ≥35 kg (in combination with AZT + 3TC or ABC + 3TC or TDF + 3TC)
Adult or child >35 kg: 300 mg/100 mg ATV/r once daily

Contraindications

▼
  • Children <3 years
  • Severe liver disease

Side Effects

▼
  • Jaundice
  • Rash
  • Irregular heartbeat, chest pain
  • Mouth ulcers, dry mouth, stomach upset
  • Difficulty in sleeping, headache, fatigue

Interactions

▼
  • Simvastatin, atorvastatin (increased risk of muscle damage)
  • Rifampicin (reduced ATV efficacy)
  • Nevirapine (reduced ATV efficacy)
  • Efavirenz (reduced ATV efficacy)
  • Ketoconazole (increased ketoconazole level in blood)
  • Omeprazole (reduced ATV efficacy)
  • Antacids, e.g. magnesium sulphate compound (reduced absorption of ATV) , e.g. magnesium sulphate compound (reduced absorption of ATV)
  • Quinine (increased risk of quinine toxicity)
  • Ergometrine (increased ergometrine toxicity)

Patient instructions

▼
  • Take with or after food
  • Take medicine at the same time every day
  • Take magnesium sulphate compound 2 hours apart from ATV

Pregnancy

▼
  • Can be used

Breastfeeding

▼
  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

▼
  • Discuss therapy with HIV treatment specialist before starting patient on ATV/r
  • If patient is using oral contraceptives, advise patient to use another method of contraception or make sure they use formulation with 50 micrograms ethinylestradiol