How to Take REYATAZ

Most people take one or two REYATAZ capsules once daily. REYATAZ should always be taken with food and in combination with other HIV medications. Your healthcare provider will let you know what amount of REYATAZ is right for you.

If you have never taken an HIV medication, the usual dose is two 200-mg REYATAZ capsules taken once daily; however, if you are receiving certain other medications, a different dose may be given to you.

If you have already been on an HIV medication, the usual dose is either a single 300-mg capsule or two 150-mg capsules of REYATAZ with one ritonavir capsule once daily with food as part of your HIV combination therapy. The ritonavir serves as a 'booster' and helps to increase the amount of REYATAZ in your body.

Setting up and following a regular schedule can help you to remember to take your REYATAZ once a day. Try to take REYATAZ at the same time every day. REYATAZ should be taken with a meal or a snack. Work with your healthcare provider to set up a treatment regimen that works for you and your lifestyle.

Why you should take REYATAZ regularly.
If you don't take REYATAZ correctly, it may not work effectively. That could lead to an increase in your HIV viral load and decrease your CD4+ cell count, both of which can increase your chances of becoming sick.

Another reason to take REYATAZ correctly is that HIV can become resistant to the drugs used to treat it. If the level of an HIV medication in your body drops too low, then it can't effectively prevent HIV from reproducing. This gives the virus a chance to become resistant.

To increase your chances of staying on schedule with REYATAZ try the following:

• Take REYATAZ at the same time every day with a meal or a snack.

  If you decide to take REYATAZ with breakfast, lunch or dinner, you are more likely to keep taking it at the same time every day. You can also take REYATAZ with a light snack. Taking REYATAZ with a meal or snack helps it work better.

• Don't forget to take every dose.

  When REYATAZ becomes a part of your daily life and you take it at the same time every day, you're less likely to forget to take it. But sometimes you might forget to take a dose. If you do, take that dose as soon as possible. Then, take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. If you do miss a dose and there are less than 6 hours before your next dose - don't take the missed dose. Just wait and take the next scheduled dose at your regular time.

  Do not double the next dose if you missed one.

  If you miss too many doses of your HIV medication, you increase the likelihood of developing a resistance to the medicine. That can increase your chances of becoming sick.

  It is worth repeating: It is important that you do not miss any doses of REYATAZ or your other HIV medications.

* "Undetectable" is defined as a viral load that is too low to be picked up by a particular test. Typically, it is a viral load of less than 400 or 50 copies/mL (depending on test used).