Question
Can you take pantoprazole (antacids) with atazanavir?
23 November 2012. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.
Hi,
I have been am on 2nd line treatment with atazanavir/r & Truvada on 24 months.
My CD4 count has increased from 578 to 769. But my CD4 % has decreased from 28:27:25:24 .
My viral load is 150 copies after 12 months and the same after 18 months.
I was using pantoprazole but I’ve stopped. Does pantoprazole affect my medicines?
Answer
I’m sorry but some parts of your email were unclear. Please let me know if I haven’t understood your question properly.
Pantoprazole is a type of antacid called a proton-pump inhibitor. These medicines can have an interaction with atazanavir which makes this medicine less effective. If you have been taking pantoprazole this could be the reason why your viral load is still above ‘undetectable’ (50 copies).
If you can’t avoid taking pantoprazole you would need to be monitored closely and your dose of atazanavir may need to be increased.
A recent study at London’s Chelsea and Westminster hospital showed that many people taking atazanavir don’t know about this reaction. It also showed a possible link between viral load blips and taking antacids with atazanavir. You can read a summary of the study at this link.
Your CD4 count and CD4 percentages are both very good. Although your CD4 percentage looks like it’s going down these are all good results and it’s unlikely your doctor would see them as being different.
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