Drug interactions
Atazanavir + Cariprazine
Severity: Major
Atazanavir and Cariprazine: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Atazanavir is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and can raise cariprazine and its active metabolites, which have long half-lives. This increases the risk of akathisia, extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation and metabolic effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atazanavir and Cariprazine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Atazanavir belongs to Anti Virals; Cariprazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4, the main route of cariprazine metabolism.
What to do
If starting cariprazine in a patient on atazanavir, use half the usual dose; if starting atazanavir in a patient on cariprazine, reduce the cariprazine dose by half (every other day if on 1.5 mg daily). Monitor for adverse effects for several weeks given the long half-life.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Atazanavir and Cariprazine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Cariprazine
Other interactions of Atazanavir
- Alfuzosin + Atazanavir Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Avanafil Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Eplerenone Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atazanavir with Cariprazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Atazanavir and Cariprazine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Atazanavir is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and can raise cariprazine and its active metabolites, which have long half-lives. This increases the risk of akathisia, extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation and metabolic effects.
How serious is the interaction between Atazanavir and Cariprazine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: If starting cariprazine in a patient on atazanavir, use half the usual dose; if starting atazanavir in a patient on cariprazine, reduce the cariprazine dose by half (every other day if on 1.5 mg daily). Monitor for adverse effects for several weeks given the long half-life.
What other medicines interact with Cariprazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cariprazine with, for example, Alfentanil, Amisulpride, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Cariprazine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
