Atazanavir pour le VIH

About atazanavir

Atazanavir is an antiretroviral medicine. It is prescribed for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It slows the progress of HIV infection, but it is not a cure. HIV destroys cells in the body, called CD4 T cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell and are important because they are involved in protecting your body from infection. If left untreated, the HIV infection weakens your immune system so that your body cannot defend itself against bacteria, viruses and other germs. Atazanavir slows down the progress of HIV infection by reducing the amount of virus in your body. It does this by stopping the production of a protein that the virus needs to copy (replicate) itself.

Atazanavir will be prescribed for you by a doctor who is a specialist. It belongs to a group of antiretroviral medicines known as protease inhibitors (PIs). It is given alongside a number of other antiretroviral medicines, as part of a combination therapy. Taking three or more antiretroviral medicines at the same time is more effective than taking one alone. Taking a combination of different medicines also reduces the risk that the virus will become resistant to any individual medicine. One brand of atazanavir called Evotaz® also contains a medicine called cobicistat. Cobicistat boosts the effect of atazanavir. Not all of the information in this document may apply to the combination brand - please refer to the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.

Il est essentiel de prendre vos médicaments antirétroviraux exactement comme ils vous ont été prescrits afin de maintenir le succès et d'empêcher le virus de devenir résistant aux médicaments. Ces médicaments sont généralement pris à vie.

Before taking atazanavir

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking atazanavir it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous êtes enceinte, si vous essayez d'avoir un enfant ou si vous allaitez.

• Si vous souffrez de diabète (diabète sucré).

• Si vous souffrez d'une inflammation du foie (appelée hépatite) ou de tout autre problème hépatique.

• Si vous avez des problèmes de fonctionnement des reins.

• If you have been told you have a heart rhythm disorder.

• Si vous êtes atteint d'hémophilie ou de porphyrie, deux maladies sanguines héréditaires rares.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments disponibles sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médicaments complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.
  

How to take atazanavir

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about atazanavir, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take atazanavir exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usual to take one dose each day. There are several strengths of atazanavir capsule available - your doctor will tell you which is right for you (or your child). It is important that you take atazanavir with food, as this will help your body to absorb the medicine. Swallow the capsule whole with a drink of water. You will also be asked to take a booster medicine (such as ritonavir or cobicistat) at the same time as you take atazanavir.

• Try to take atazanavir at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take it regularly.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it (with something to eat) as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day then leave out the forgotten dose and take your dose that it is due on that day. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Respectez vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin afin qu'il puisse suivre votre évolution. Vous devrez subir régulièrement des analyses de sang pour vérifier l'efficacité de vos médicaments.

• It is important that you continue to take atazanavir and your other antiretroviral treatment regularly. This will help to prevent the HIV from becoming resistant to the medicines you are taking. Even if you miss only a small number of doses, the virus can become resistant to treatment.

• If you develop any infection soon after you start this treatment, let your doctor know. As a result of taking atazanavir, your immune system may start fighting an infection which was present before you started the treatment, but which you may not have been aware of.

• Suivez attentivement les conseils de votre médecin concernant les changements à apporter à votre mode de vie afin de réduire le risque de dommages à votre cœur et à vos vaisseaux sanguins. Il peut s'agir d'arrêter de fumer, de manger sainement et de faire régulièrement de l'exercice.

• Certaines personnes prenant des médicaments antirétroviraux développent des changements dans la façon dont la graisse corporelle est répartie dans le corps. Cela peut entraîner des modifications de l'image corporelle. Votre médecin discutera avec vous de cette possibilité.

• Bien que le traitement par des médicaments antirétroviraux puisse réduire le risque que vous transmettiez le VIH à d'autres personnes par contact sexuel, il ne l'empêche pas. Il est important que vous utilisiez des préservatifs.

• Il n'est pas rare que les personnes séropositives se sentent déprimées, surtout peu de temps après le diagnostic et le début du traitement. Si vous vous sentez déprimé ou si vous avez l'impression de vous faire du mal, parlez-en immédiatement à votre médecin.

• Certaines personnes ayant pris des médicaments antirétroviraux (en particulier sur une longue période) ont développé une maladie appelée ostéonécrose. Il s'agit d'une maladie osseuse dans laquelle le tissu osseux meurt en raison d'une diminution de l'apport sanguin. Elle entraîne des douleurs et des raideurs articulaires et peut provoquer des difficultés de mouvement. Si vous remarquez l'un de ces symptômes, parlez-en à votre médecin.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with atazanavir and your other medicines. This is because some medicines and herbal remedies interfere with atazanavir and stop it from working properly. In particular, do not take indigestion remedies during the two hours before and the two hours after you take your doses, and do not take St John's wort.

• If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood sugar (glucose) more frequently as this medicine can affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• Si vous devez subir une opération ou un traitement dentaire, indiquez à la personne chargée du traitement les médicaments que vous prenez.

• Treatment for HIV is usually lifelong. Continue to take atazanavir regularly for as long as your doctor tells you to, even if you feel well. This is to keep your immune system healthy.

Can atazanavir cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with atazanavir. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Some people taking atazanavir have developed kidney stones - let your doctor know as soon as possible if you feel pain in your side or when you pass urine, or if you notice any blood in your urine.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

How to store atazanavir

• Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments