Reyataz is a prescription medicine used with other anti-HIV medicines to treat people who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Reyataz is a type of anti-HIV medicine called a protease inhibitor. Reyataz helps to block HIV protease, an enzyme that is needed for the HIV virus to multiply. Reyataz may lower the amount of HIV in your blood, help your body keep its supply of CD4 (T) cells, and reduce the risk of death and illness associated with HIV.

Reyataz does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. People taking Reyataz may still get opportunistic infections or other conditions that happen with HIV infection. It is very important that you see your healthcare provider regularly while taking Reyataz.

Even if you are taking Reyataz, you may still pass HIV to other people through sexual contact, sharing needles, or being exposed to your blood. For your health and the health of others, it is important to always practice safer sex and never use or share dirty needles.

Who should not take Reyataz?

Do not take Reyataz if you:

• are taking certain medications. Serious life-threatening side effects or death may happen. Before you take Reyataz, tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking or planning to take. These include other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
• are allergic to Reyataz or any of its ingredients.

General Precautions:

• Reyataz may cause an increase in bilirubin levels in the blood (bilirubin is made by the liver). This may cause your skin or the white part of your eyes to turn yellow.
• Reyataz may cause a change in the way your heart beats (heart rhythm change). Signs and symptoms include dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Reyataz may cause diabetes and high blood sugar. Some patients may need changes in their diabetes medicine.
• If you have liver disease including hepatitis B or C, your liver disease may get worse when you take anti-HIV medicines like Reyataz.
• Some people with hemophilia have reported increased bleeding problems while taking protease inhibitors like Reyataz.
• Lactic acidosis syndrome (a severe buildup of acid in the blood that sometimes causes death) has been reported in patients taking Reyataz along with anti-HIV medicines called nucleoside analogues. Lactic acidosis syndrome has happened more in people who are female or very overweight. Lactic acidosis syndrome is a medical emergency and must be treated in the hospital. The following are signs of lactic acidosis syndrome: persistent nausea, vomiting or unexpected stomach discomfort; weakness and tiredness; trouble breathing; and weakness especially in the arms and legs.
• Use of antiretroviral medications, including Reyataz, has been associated with changes in body fat. These changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen.

 What should I tell my health care provider? 

Tell your health care provider:

• if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• if you are breast-feeding.
• if you have liver problems or are infected with the hepatitis B or C virus.
• if you have diabetes.
• if you have hemophilia.
• about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are some possible side effects of Reyataz? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Reyataz. Your health care provider or pharmacist can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)

Common side effects with Reyataz when taken with other anti-HIV medicines include:

• nausea
• headache
• rash
• stomach pain
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• depression
• fever
• increased cough
• dizziness
• trouble sleeping
• pain
• tiredness
• back pain
• numbness
• tingling or burning of hands and feet
• joint pain

Posted: 10/28/03