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Atazanavir; Cobicistat tablets

Atazanavir and cobicistat combine in a tablet to work with other medications to treat HIV. HIV slowly weakens your immune system. You can take this medication by mouth with a glass of water and food as directed. Don’t skip doses, even if you feel better.

What is this medication?

ATAZANAVIR; COBICISTAT (at a za NA veer; koe BIS i stat) is an antiretroviral medicine and a medication booster in 1 tablet. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. This medicine can lower, but not fully prevent, the risk of spreading HIV to others.

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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): EVOTAZ

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•diabetes

•hemophilia

•kidney disease

•liver disease

•irregular heartbeat

•an unusual or allergic reaction to atazanavir, cobicistat, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your anti-HIV therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's or health care professional's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

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NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If your next dose is to be taken in less than 12 hours, then do not take that missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • alfuzosin
  • carbamazepine
  • certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat like dronedarone, ranolazine
  • certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances like lurasidone, pimozide
  • certain other antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS like indinavir and nevirapine
  • cisapride
  • drospirenone
  • fosphenytoin
  • irinotecan
  • medicines for cholesterol like lovastatin, simvastatin
  • medicines for headaches like dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
  • midazolam
  • naloxegol
  • phenobarbital
  • phenytoin
  • rifampin
  • sildenafil
  • St. John's wort
  • triazolam

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • bosentan
  • certain antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, rifabutin
  • certain other antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS like darunavir, didanosine, efavirenz, elvitegravir, etravirine, fosamprenavir, lopinavir; ritonavir, maraviroc, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tenofovir, tipranavir
  • certain medications for anxiety or sleep like buspirone, diazepam, zolpidem
  • certain medicines for blood pressure and heart disease like amlodipine, carvedilol, diltiazem, felodipine, metoprolol, nifedipine, timolol, verapamil
  • certain medicines for cancer like dasatinib, nilotinib, vinblastine, vincristine
  • certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychiatric disturbances
  • certain medicines for erectile dysfunction like avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil
  • certain medicines for fungal infection like itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole
  • certain medicines for hepatitis infection like boceprevir, simeprevir
  • certain medicines for seizures like clonazepam, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine
  • certain medicines for stomach problems like antacids, H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors
  • certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like apixaban, betrixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, warfarin
  • colchicine
  • female hormones, like estrogens and progestins and birth control pills
  • medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin
  • medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, digoxin, disopyramide, flecainide, lidocaine, mexiletine, propafenone, quinidine
  • medicines that lower your chance of fighting infection like cyclosporine, everolimus, sirolimus, tacrolimus
  • narcotic medicines for pain like buprenorphine, buprenorphine; naloxone, fentanyl, methadone, tramadol
  • phenothiazines like perphenazine, thioridazine
  • risperidone
  • salmeterol
  • steroid medicines like betamethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, methylprednisolone, mometasone, triamcinolone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or healthcare provider for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control. Women who can still have children must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, like a condom.

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This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your healthcare provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
  • dark urine
  • dizziness
  • feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
  • irregular heart rate
  • nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
  • pain in the lower back or side
  • pain when urinating
  • rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
  • redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
  • signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as being more thirsty or hungry or having to urinate more than normal. You may also feel very tired or have blurry vision.
  • unusually weak or tired
  • yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • depressed mood
  • diarrhea
  • headache
  • muscle pain
  • tingling or burning in your hands, feet or around the mouth
  • trouble sleeping
  • weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature of 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.

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