Atazanavir; Cobicistat tablets
Atazanavir; Cobicistat tablets
What is this medicine?
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.
How should I use this medicine?
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.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
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
What may interact with this medicine?
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
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.
Where should I keep my medicine?
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.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
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
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
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.
This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your healthcare provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.
Updated:  
August 09, 2020