Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
I am currently taking Reyataz and Combivir for my HIV disease. I
am also a Type 1 diabetic and have high cholesteral and
triglycerides. I was recently diagnosed with hypertension and a
rapid heart beat. My PCP prescriced Verelan PM 100mg and said it
would solve both of these new issues. However I recently read on
line that Verelan and Reyataz should not be taken together. My
question is are there any other treatments for hypertension and
rapid heart beat that are compatible with my HIV treatment ? I
would like to find out so that I can present this issue to my PCP
with the proper information.
Again thank you for answering my question.
Dear Reader:
Verelan is a calcium channel blocker called verapamil. The data
from Bristol-Myers Squibb show that the verapimil levels may rise
when used with Reyataz (atazanavir). So they could be used
together, but you need to start at a low dose of the calcium
channel blocker and monitor with EKG's. This is because both
atazanavir and calcium blockers can prolong the conduction of the
beat in the heart. Bepridil is the only calcium channel blocker
that should never be used with atazanavir.
Atenolol, a beta-blocker that controls blood pressure and heart rate, can be used with atazanavir, but I don't know the technical details of you heart rate or rhythm disturbance so I am not sure if that would be the right drug. I think it might be best to have a cardiologist evaluate the best drugs for your blood pressure and heart rate and then cross reference back to the information atazanavir has on drug interactions.
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