⌛️ Time to get HIV Protease Outta Here with Atazanavir! 🦠💊
🌟 Let’s talk about Atazanavir’s nickname, Bananavir. 🍌
🌟 Atazanavir is used with other antiretroviral medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 🦠💊 It belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors.
🌟 One of the most common side effects with atazanavir is hyperbilirubinemia (35-49% of adults) causing yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin (jaundice) hence why this drug is often nicknamed BANANAVIR! 🍌Other common side effects include rash, nausea, headache, cough, fever, and hypercholesterolemia.
🌟 Key Points to Know For Exams
-It is marketed under the brand name Reyataz
-It works to inhibit HIV protease from breaking up large viral proteins into new mature HIV particles
-It comes as a capsule and as a powder to be taken with food once a day to increase absorption
-Hypersensitivity reaction can occur (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic skin eruptions)
-Beware of drug interactions as atazanavir is metabolized via CYP3A4 and it requires an acid gastric environment for optimal absorption (PPIs are contraindicated with use)
-Atazanavir is often given with ritonavir to help boost levels of atazanavir concentrations