Atazanavir is an antiretroviral drug that is used to control, prevent, and treat HIV or AIDS patients. This drug is only effective against human immunodeficiency virus Type 1. It does not possess any effect on the type 2 virus.
This drug is considered as one of the best antiretroviral medicines as it binds to the active site of HIV-1 protease. When the protease activity of the human immunodeficiency virus is blocked it is unable to multiply and regulate the machinery of the host thus it is no more harmful. The human immunodeficiency virus becomes inactive and can not cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Atazanavir belongs to the protease inhibitor class and is generally used in combination with other antiretroviral medications. Atazanavir is different from other protease inhibitor class drugs into manner:
It requires a single dose per day.
Have a lesser effect on the lipid form of the patient.
Atazanavir, when combined with ritonavir, shows equal potency that of lopinavir and ritonavir combination but the main disadvantage of this combination is that the metabolic advantage of atazanavir decreases.
Atazanavir sulphate is the sulphate salt form of atazanavir. Atazanavir sulfate is present in capsule form of different concentrations such as 100mg, 150 mg, 200 mg and atazanavir 300mg. The tablet must be consumed daily with or without food the tablet must not be crushed or chewed. It should be swallowed whole.
Atazanavir 300 mg capsule is recommended with a combination of ritonavir 100 MG drug. This is the standard measurement of the combination used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Atazanavir 300 mg is also used in the case when Doctor and health worker are accidentally exposed to HIV virus.
Most common side effects of atazanavir are mentioned below:
Nausea
Headache
Rash
Dizziness
Fever
Insomnia
Numbness
Diarrhoea
Tingling
Muscle pain
This medication is considered safe for pregnant women. According to studies, it does not have any birth defects and thus it is very safe for the women having HIV.
Some serious adverse reactions of Atazanavir sulphate are:
Cardiac conduction abnormalities - not recommended to the patient having an irregular heartbeat
Hepatotoxicity - Caution for the patient having a hepatic impairment
Nephrolithiasis - hard stone in kidney
Haemophilia - a disorder in which blood doesn't clot normally
Severe rash - red, itchy patches on skin appear
Hyperglycemia - blood sugar level is raised
Atazanavir sulphate should not be given to the patient suffering from severe to moderate hepatic impairment.