Bristol-Myers Squibb receives FDA approval for new formulation of antiretroviral Reyataz

Bristol-Myers Squibb on Friday announced that it has received FDA approval for a single 300 mg capsule formulation of its protease inhibitor Reyataz to be taken as part of combination therapy, Reuters reports.

The new formulation is taken once daily and likely will be available within one week, according to BMS (Reuters, 10/20).

Reyataz, known generically as atazanavir, is used in second-line HIV/AIDS drug treatments.

Under World Health Organization guidelines, atazanavir is best taken with a booster drug, usually Abbott Laboratories' ritonavir (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 2/15).

According to BMS, the 300 mg formulation can replace the twice daily 150 mg formulations of Reyataz for people who previously have taken antiretroviral drugs, people who will be taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and people who have never taken efavirenz as part of their drug regimens (BMS release, 10/20).