Evotaz combines atazanavir and cobicistat, which is used to boost the effect of atazanavir, in one pill. It is taken in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.

You should not take Evotaz with any of the following drugs: alfuzosin, amiodarone, astemizole, avanafil, bepridil, carbamazepine, cisapride, colchicine, dihydroergotamine, dronedarone, ergometrine, ergonovine, ergotamine, lidocaine (injectable), lovastatin, methylergonovine, midazolam (oral), phenobarbital, phenytoin, pimozide, quetiapine, quinidine, rifampicin, simvastatin, St John’s wort, terfenadine, ticagrelor, triazolam.

Drugs that affect the acidity of your stomach and gastrointestinal tract can stop atazanavir being absorbed, meaning it may not be effective at suppressing HIV.

Proton pump inhibitors (indigestion remedies that reduce gastric acid, such as lansoprazole, pantoprazole or omeprazole) should not be taken with atazanavir, unless they have been prescribed by your HIV doctor and the dose of atazanavir is increased. Evotaz should be taken with food at the same time as, or 10 hours after, an H2-receptor antagonist. If atazanavir is taken with tenofovir, you should never take H2-receptor antagonists without speaking to your doctor or pharmacist first. Indigestion remedies or calcium supplements should be taken at least two hours before or one hour after atazanavir.

‘Buffered’ medicines (drugs that have been prepared so they are released slowly into the body) should be taken at least two hours before or one hour after atazanavir.

Atazanavir should not be taken with the anti-HIV drug nevirapine or the chemotherapy drug irinotecan.

Taking NNRTI drugs with atazanavir is not recommended.

Sildenafil is a drug used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs). You should not take sildenafil with Evotaz if sildenafil was prescribed for this reason. Sildenafil is also used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence). If you are using sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, tell your doctor before you start treatment with Evotaz.

Kidney stones, severe rash and fever, changes in heart rhythm.

Increased appetite, difficulty in sleeping, abnormal dreams, headache, dizziness, altered taste, raised bilirubin levels, sometimes leading to jaundice, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, dry mouth, rash, tiredness. 

A common side-effect of Evotaz is the development of a rash. This is usually mild, but in rare cases it can be the sign of a more severe reaction. It is important to tell your doctor if you develop a rash when you start Evotaz.

Take with food to improve absorption.

Combines 300mg atazanavir and 150mg cobicistat (to boost the atazanavir) in a pink, oval tablet. The usual adult dose is one tablet taken once a day.