Evotaz (Atazanavir And Cobicistat)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Evotaz Used For?
Evotaz is a combination HIV medication that contains two active ingredients: atazanavir (a protease inhibitor) and cobicistat (a pharmacokinetic enhancer or ‘booster’).
Primary Uses
Evotaz is used in combination with other anti-HIV agents to treat adults who are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is specifically designed for adult patients only.
How It Works
Atazanavir blocks HIV protease, an enzyme that HIV needs to multiply. Cobicistat is included to boost the effectiveness of atazanavir by increasing its levels in your body. Together, they help lower the amount of HIV in your blood and help your body maintain its supply of CD4 and T-cells, which are important immune system cells. This slows down damage to your immune system.
Important: Evotaz is not a cure for HIV infection and will not necessarily prevent illnesses that commonly occur in people with HIV. You can still transmit HIV to others while taking this medicine.
How to Take Evotaz
Take Evotaz exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop taking it without consulting your doctor first.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow the tablet whole with a drink such as water or fruit juice. You must take Evotaz with food – this is important to achieve the right medicine levels in your body. Take it at about the same time each day for best results and to help you remember.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your regular time. If you remember earlier, take it as soon as possible and then return to your normal schedule. It’s very important not to miss doses as this may cause the virus to become resistant to your HIV medicines.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This may increase your chance of side effects.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain or discomfort
- Nausea, indigestion, gas
- Extreme tiredness or loss of energy
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Tingling of hands or feet
- Severe abdominal pain or tenderness
- Changes in body fat distribution
- Joint or muscle pain
- Mouth, throat, or stomach ulcers
- Severe skin rash or rash with flu-like symptoms
- Heart rhythm changes or fainting
- Increased bleeding (in hemophiliac patients)
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Gallbladder disorders
- Kidney stones
- Liver problems
- Lactic acidosis (unusual stomach discomfort, weakness, shortness of breath)
- Allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, or throat)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Evotaz should not be used or requires special monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Evotaz
Do not use Evotaz if you are allergic to atazanavir, cobicistat, or any ingredients in the medication, or if you have liver disease. Also avoid if taking certain medications including other HIV medicines, specific heart medications, certain antibiotics, cholesterol medications, sleeping pills containing midazolam or triazolam, and herbal products containing St John’s wort.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, liver problems including hepatitis, heart rhythm problems, diabetes, haemophilia, or risk factors for chronic kidney disease. Your doctor may need to monitor your kidney and liver function during treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Evotaz is not recommended during pregnancy. If you are HIV positive, you should not breastfeed due to the risk of passing HIV to your baby. It’s unknown if Evotaz passes into breast milk.
Liver Disease: Do not use Evotaz if you have liver disease. Liver problems may cause higher levels of Evotaz in the blood, increasing the chance of side effects.
Drug Interactions
Evotaz can interact with many medications, affecting how they work or increasing side effects.
Antacids: Antacids and buffered medicines reduce Evotaz absorption. Take these medicines one hour before or two hours after Evotaz.
- Other HIV medicines (ritonavir, didanosine, tenofovir, efavirenz, nevirapine)
- Heart medications (amiodarone, mexiletine, disopyramide, calcium channel blockers)
- Cholesterol medications (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin)
- Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole)
- Antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin)
- Blood thinners (warfarin, dabigatran, apixaban)
- Antidepressants (paroxetine, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants)
- Proton-pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor antagonists
- Antacids and buffered medicines
- Oral contraceptives
- Immunosuppressants (cyclosporin, sirolimus, tacrolimus)
- Pain medicines (buprenorphine, methadone, fentanyl)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious when driving or operating machinery until you know how Evotaz affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information, but consult your doctor about alcohol use while taking Evotaz.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Evotaz may cause dizziness. Make sure you know how you react to this medication before driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that could be dangerous if you feel dizzy.
Storage
Store Evotaz tablets in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C (77°F). Keep tablets in the original bottle with the cap tightly closed until it’s time to take them. Do not store in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink, and don’t leave in the car or on a window sill as heat and dampness can damage the medicine. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above the ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Evotaz, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you don’t feel unwell or show signs of poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Evotaz helps control HIV but does not cure it. You must take it every day as directed by your doctor to maintain its effectiveness in lowering HIV levels in your blood.
Yes, you must take Evotaz with food. Taking it with food is important to achieve the right medicine levels in your body for optimal effectiveness.
No information about addiction potential is mentioned in the prescribing information. Evotaz is an HIV treatment medication, not a controlled substance.
Do not stop taking Evotaz without checking with your doctor first. You must continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you to, even if you feel better, as stopping may allow the virus to multiply.
The prescribing information does not specifically mention alcohol interactions, but you should discuss alcohol use with your doctor while taking Evotaz.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose, and missing doses may cause the virus to become resistant to your HIV medicines.
Yes, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) can occur. While unlikely to cause permanent damage, you should call your doctor promptly if your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.