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EVOTAZ is a prescription medicine used with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children weighing at least 77 pounds (35 kg). EVOTAZ contains the prescription medicines atazanavir and cobicistat.
It is not known if EVOTAZ is safe and effective in children who weigh less than 77 pounds (35 kg).
EVOTAZ helps prevent cells infected by HIV from producing more HIV. This reduces the amount of the virus in your body. EVOTAZ is one of several treatment options your doctor may consider. EVOTAZ does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. You must stay on continuous HIV therapy to help control HIV infection and reduce the chance of HIV-related illnesses.
HIV is a virus that multiplies quickly. Untreated, it can make billions of copies of itself every day. But HIV cannot multiply on its own. It uses the CD4+ cells of your immune system. Normally, CD4+ cells fight bacteria and viruses to keep you healthy. As HIV multiplies, it wipes out CD4+ cells.
EVOTAZ is in the class of HIV drugs known as protease inhibitors (PIs). PIs prevent HIV from copying itself effectively. EVOTAZ should be used as part of an HIV regimen.
EVOTAZ may help raise your CD4+ cell count and lower your viral load to undetectable.
Do not take EVOTAZ (atazanavir and cobicistat) if you:
EVOTAZ does not cure HIV infection or AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). You must keep taking HIV drugs to control HIV infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses.
No. EVOTAZ does not lower your chance of passing HIV to other people through sexual contact, sharing needles, or being exposed to your blood. To reduce the risks linked to sexual contact, you should get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Let your partner know your HIV and STD status.
For your health and the health of others, it is important to always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom or other barrier to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
Never share or reuse piercing, tattooing, or injection needles. If you are an injection drug user, consider seeking treatment for substance use.
Yes. EVOTAZ in HIV combination therapy can be taken by adults who are starting HIV treatment for the first time.
Once-daily EVOTAZ in combination therapy has been shown to be effective in helping to manage HIV. It can help lower your viral load to undetectable and may raise your CD4+ cell count. EVOTAZ does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. You must stay on continuous HIV therapy to control HIV infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses.
Doctors may change your HIV therapy for a variety of reasons. EVOTAZ as part of combination therapy is one of several treatment options your doctor may consider.
Before taking EVOTAZ, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with EVOTAZ. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Do not start taking any new medicines without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Do not take EVOTAZ if you
The above list of drugs is not complete. Please refer to Patient Information for a list of drugs that may call for your therapy to be watched more closely or may call for a change in dose or dose schedule of EVOTAZ or the other drug. Know the drugs you take. Keep a list of your drugs and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new drug.
Remember:
Take EVOTAZ once every day exactly as told by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the amount of EVOTAZ that is right for you.
Do not change your dose or stop taking EVOTAZ without talking to your healthcare provider.
Do not breastfeed if you take EVOTAZ or if you have HIV-1. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.
Over time, HIV can become resistant to HIV drugs. When patients develop drug resistance to a drug in a certain class (such as EVOTAZ, which is a protease inhibitor [PI]), they often become resistant to many or all of the drugs in that class.
Do not store this drug in a damp place.
Active Ingredients: atazanavir and
cobicistat
Inactive Ingredients:
croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose,
magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, sodium
starch glycolate, and stearic acid. The film-coating contains hypromellose,
red iron oxide, talc, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.
Tell your healthcare provider if you think you have had an allergic reaction to any of these ingredients.
Do not take EVOTAZ if you:
Before taking EVOTAZ, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with EVOTAZ. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Do not start taking any new medicines without first talking to your healthcare provider.
EVOTAZ can cause serious side effects, including:
The most common side effects of EVOTAZ are yellowing of the skin and rash.
These are not all the possible side effects of EVOTAZ.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.