Proper Use
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. When your supply of this medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of this medicine.
This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
This medicine may be taken in combination with other medicines that are used to treat HIV infection. Take all of the medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of day and in the correct order. Do not stop using your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
This medicine is available in 2 forms. You may use a capsule or an oral powder. Your doctor may adjust your dose if you need to switch from one form to another.
It is important that atazanavir be taken with food.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not open it.
For patients using the oral powder:
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Determine the number of packets that are needed. Do not open a packet until you are ready to use it.
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Mix the oral powder with food (eg, applesauce or yogurt) or a beverage (milk, infant formula, water). You may mix it in a container or a cup and use an oral dosing syringe or small medicine cup to give it to a child.
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After mixing your medicine with food or liquid, use the mixture right away or within 1 hour. Be sure to drink or swallow all of the mixture.
If you are also using antacids or didanosine (Videx®), take atazanavir 2 hours before or 1 hour after these medicines.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
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For oral dosage form (capsules):
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For HIV infection (patient already had HIV treatment):
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Adults—300 milligrams (mg) with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day. For patients who are also taking atazanavir in combination with both H2RA and tenofovir, the dose is usually 400 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day.
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Pregnant patients—300 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day. For pregnant patients who are also taking atazanavir in combination with both H2RA or tenofovir, the dose is usually 400 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day.
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Children 6 to 17 years and weighing 35 kilograms (kg) or more—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 300 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day.
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Children 6 to 17 years and weighing 15 to less than 35 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 200 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day.
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Children 6 to 17 years and weighing less than 15 kg—Use of capsules is not recommended.
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For HIV infection (patient never had HIV treatment):
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Adults—300 milligrams (mg) with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day. For patients who are unable to tolerate ritonavir, the dose is usually 400 mg (without ritonavir) once day. For patients who are also taking atazanavir in combination with efavirenz, the dose is usually 400 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day.
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Pregnant patients—300 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day.
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Children 6 to 17 years and weighing 35 kilograms (kg) or more—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 300 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day. For children at least 13 years old and weighing 40 kilograms (kg) who are unable to tolerate ritonavir, the dose is usually 400 mg (without ritonavir) once day.
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Children 6 to 17 years and weighing 15 to less than 35 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 200 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day.
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Children 6 to 17 years and weighing less than 15 kg—Use of capsules is not recommended.
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For oral dosage form (oral powder):
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For HIV infection:
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Children 3 months of age and older and weighing at least 25 kilograms (kg) who are unable to swallow the capsule—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 300 milligrams (mg) (6 packets) with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day.
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Children 3 months of age and older and weighing 15 to less than 25 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 250 mg (5 packets) with 80 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day.
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Children 3 months of age and older and weighing 5 to less than 15 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 200 mg (4 packets) with 80 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®) once a day. For children weighing 5 to less than 10 kg and cannot tolerate the 200 mg dose and have not taken an HIV protease inhibitor, they may take 150 mg (3 packets) once a day.
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Children younger than 3 months of age or weighing less than 5 kg—Use is not recommended.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Do not open a packet of oral powder until you are ready to use it. You may keep the powder with food or liquid mixture at room temperature for up to 1 hour.
Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024
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