- It is used to treat HIV infection.
- If your child has an allergy to any part of this drug.
- If your child is allergic to any drugs like this one or any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
- If your child weighs less than 11 lb (5 kg) or is younger than 3 months of age.
- If your child has any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
- If your child takes any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for high cholesterol, migraines, or mood problems. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug.
- Do not give St. John’s wort with this drug. This drug may not work as well.
- Tell dentists, surgeons, and other doctors that your child is using this drug.
- This drug interacts with many other drugs. The chance of this drug’s side effects may be raised or how well this drug works may be lowered. The chance of the other drugs’ side effects may also be raised. This may include very bad, life-threatening, or deadly side effects. Check with the doctor and pharmacist to make sure that it is safe for your child to take this drug with all of their other drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins).
- If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with the doctor. This drug can raise blood sugar.
- Have your child’s blood sugar checked as you have been told by your child’s doctor.
- Some people with hemophilia have had times of more bleeding when taking drugs like this one. If your child has hemophilia, talk with the doctor.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- This drug is not a cure for HIV. Be sure your child stays under the care of the doctor.
- This drug does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through blood. Be sure needles and other things like toothbrushes or razors are not shared. Talk with the doctor.
If your child is or may be sexually active:
- This drug does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through having sex. Be sure your child does not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. Talk with the doctor.
- Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Be sure your child uses some other kind of birth control also, like a condom, when taking this drug.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this drug.
- If your child used this drug when she was pregnant, tell the doctor if the baby has yellow skin or eyes after the baby is born.
Powder for suspension:
- If your child has phenylketonuria (PKU), talk with your child’s doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Muscle or joint pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
- Pain when passing urine.
- Back pain, belly pain, or blood in the urine. May be signs of a kidney stone.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Low mood (depression).
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Swelling in the arms or legs.
- Any bruising or bleeding that is not normal.
- Change in body fat.
- A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if your child has signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
- This drug may help the immune system work. If your child has an infection that you did not know was there, it may show up when your child takes this drug. Tell your child’s doctor right away if you see any signs of infection like fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, or shortness of breath after your child starts this drug.
- Loose stools (diarrhea).
- Belly pain.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Not able to sleep.
- To gain the most benefit, do not miss giving your child doses.
- Give as you have been told, even if your child feels well.
- Give this drug with food.
- Do not give antacids or didanosine within 2 hours of this drug.
- Some other drugs may need to be given at some other time than this drug. If your child takes other drugs, check with the doctor or pharmacist to see if you need to give them to your child at some other time than this drug.
- Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
- Do not open the capsules.
- If your child has trouble swallowing, talk with the doctor.
Powder for suspension:
- This drug must be mixed before using. Mix the powder with soft food like applesauce or yogurt. If you cannot do this, mix with a drink like milk, infant formula, or water. Mix this drug as the doctor has told you or read the package insert.
- Give this drug within 1 hour of mixing.
- This drug must be taken with another drug called ritonavir.
- If you use infant formula to mix the powder, give the drug using an oral dosing syringe. Do not give using an infant bottle.
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
- Store at room temperature.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.
Powder for suspension:
- Store in original container.
- Do not open until you are ready to use.
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Keep a list of all your child’s drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child’s doctor.
- Talk with your child’s doctor before giving your child any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
If you have any questions or concerns, talk with a member of your healthcare team. You can reach them Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at ____________________. After 5:00 pm, during the weekend, and on holidays, please call____________________. If there’s no number listed, or you’re not sure, call 212-639-2000.
Atazanavir©2016 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Generated on February 5, 2016