Atazanavir (Reyataz)

Atazanavir (Reyataz) is an antiretroviral drug from the class known as protease inhibitors. Protease inhibitors block the activity of the HIV protease (or proteinase) enzyme that HIV uses to break up large viral proteins so that new HIV particles can be formed. Inhibiting this action slows HIV replication and delays damage to the immune system. For more information on how protease inhibitors work, see Protease inhibitors in the section Ways of attacking HIV.

Atazanavir was developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, the makers of stavudine (d4T, Zerit) and didanosine (ddI, Videx/VidexEC). It was formerly identified as BM-232632.

In the European Union, atazanavir was approved for use in treatment-experienced people in 2004, at a dose of 300mg, boosted with 100mg ritonavir (Norvir) once a day. It was approved for use in treatment-naive people at the same dose in 2008.

In the United States, atazanavir was approved as an HIV treatment in 2003 without restrictions on its use. The licensed dosing is 400mg once daily for treatment-naive people and 300mg plus 100 mg ritonavir once daily for treatment-experienced people. It is recommended that this drug be taken with food. It has also been approved for use in children six years of age and older.

Atazanavir co-formulated with cobicistat (150mg) as a boosting agent has been approved for use in the European Union under the brand name Evotaz. See Evotaz for further details of dosing and specific drug interactions resulting from the use of cobicistat.

Generic versions of atazanavir are due to become available for prescribing in the United Kingdom during 2018 and it is likely that most people taking atazanavir will be switched to these products.