Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: REYATAZ versus VIRACEPT.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: REYATAZ versus VIRACEPT.
REYATAZ vs VIRACEPT
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Atazanavir is an azapeptide HIV-1 protease inhibitor that selectively inhibits the virus-specific processing of viral Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins in HIV-1-infected cells, preventing formation of mature virions.
Nelfinavir is an HIV-1 protease inhibitor. It binds to the active site of viral protease, preventing the cleavage of viral polyprotein precursors into functional proteins, resulting in the formation of immature, non-infectious viral particles.
Atazanavir 400 mg orally once daily with food, or atazanavir 300 mg orally once daily with ritonavir 100 mg orally once daily with food.
1250 mg orally twice daily or 750 mg orally three times daily, with food.
None Documented
None Documented
The terminal elimination half-life of atazanavir in adults is approximately 7 hours when given with a boosted regimen (e.g., with ritonavir), and 6-8.5 hours without boosting. With food, absorption is enhanced, but half-life is not significantly altered.
Terminal elimination half-life is 3-5 hours; clinical context: necessitates thrice-daily dosing for effective viral suppression.
Reyataz (atazanavir) is primarily metabolized by the liver via CYP3A4. Approximately 79% of the dose is excreted in feces (as unchanged drug and metabolites), and 13% in urine (mostly as metabolites). Renal elimination of unchanged drug is negligible (<1%).
Fecal (87%, primarily as unchanged drug), renal (2%). Biliary excretion is a major route.
Category C
Category C
Antiretroviral (Protease Inhibitor)
Antiretroviral (Protease Inhibitor)