Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is Atazanavir. It is used together with other medicines to help treat HIV and keep it under control. People with HIV have a better quality of life and are living longer than ever before. To do so, it is important to take HIV medications exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Atazanavir capsules are often taken one time each day. Take each dose with food and swallow the capsules whole. Do not open the capsules. It is important to not miss any doses. If you do, the virus could increase and become harder to treat.

Most people tolerate this medicine well. Common side effects include a headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Some people will have numbness and tingling in their hands or feet, or muscle pain. You should wait until you know how this medicine affects you before you do activities that require you to be alert, like driving. Rashes are common, but they can be serious. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking it, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 

As with any medicine, more rare but serious side effects can occur. With Atazanavir includes problems with your heart, liver, and kidneys. You should read the Patient Information Sheet to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report changes. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely and may order blood tests. 

Atazanavir can interact with other medicines. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines, herbal remedies, and vitamins. 

While taking this medicine, you must still take precautions to prevent spreading HIV to others. Women should talk to their doctors before becoming pregnant and should not breastfeed. Atazanavir can make certain types of birth control less effective. Women should talk to their doctors about which birth control methods to use and for how long.

For best results with Atazanavir, be sure to plan ahead for refills so you do not miss doses.