STD Home > Taking Atazanavir Safely
General considerations to keep in mind when taking atazanavir include the following:
- The medication comes in capsule form. It is usually taken by mouth once daily.
- Atazanavir should be taken with food.
- Try to take your dose at the same time every day to maintain an even level in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It is important that you closely follow your healthcare provider's instructions about taking atazanavir. Missing doses can increase the chance of the virus developing resistance to the medication, thereby making it less effective.
The dose of atazanavir your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking
- Other HIV or AIDS medications you have already tried.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
(Click Atazanavir Dosing for more information.)
Atazanavir can interact with a number of other medications (see Atazanavir Drug Interactions).
People who take too much atazanavir may experience the following symptoms:
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Yellow skin (jaundice).
If you happen to overdose on this drug, seek immediate medical attention.
(Click Reyataz Overdose for more information.)