What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Atazanavir and budesonide
Budesonide's FDA label of October 11, 2019 names atazanavir in its drug interactions section; atazanavir's label does not name budesonide itself but warns about its class (Corticosteroids). The budesonide label: “Interactions with Strong Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors Caution should be exercised when considering the coadministration of PULMICORT RESPULES with ketoconazole, and other known strong CYP3A4 inhibitors because adverse …”
Check it at the source: the atazanavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 6, 2025, Aurobindo Pharma Limited); the budesonide FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 11, 2019, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP).
What does the atazanavir label say about budesonide?
Atazanavir's label does not name budesonide itself; it warns about its class (Corticosteroids):
Atazanavir label, drug interactionsCorticosteroids: dexamethasone and other corticosteroids (all routes of administration) ↓ atazanavir ↑ corticosteroids Coadministration with dexamethasone or other corticosteroids that induce CYP3A may result in loss of therapeutic effect of atazanavir and development of resistance to atazanavir and/or ritonavir.
Atazanavir label, drug interactionsCoadministration with corticosteroids (all routes of administration) that are metabolized by CYP3A, particularly for long-term use, may increase the risk for development of systemic corticosteroid effects including Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression.
Source: FDA drug label (Atazanavir Sulfate), Aurobindo Pharma Limited, effective August 6, 2025 (SPL set 7fbea274-d6b5-4faa-bbf0-05fefab42114), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the budesonide label say about atazanavir?
Budesonide label, drug interactionsCaution should be exercised when considering the coadministration of PULMICORT RESPULES with long-term ketoconazole and other known strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Budesonide label, warnings and precautionsInteractions with Strong Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors Caution should be exercised when considering the coadministration of PULMICORT RESPULES with ketoconazole, and other known strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin) because adverse effects related to increased systemic exposure to budesonide may occur [see Drug Interactions (7.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Source: FDA drug label (PULMICORT RESPULES), AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, effective October 11, 2019 (SPL set 33cd9834-76df-4f26-3fa2-aab6b9eee8f2), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Atazanavir | Budesonide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | HIV | Asthma, Allergies, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $2.23 per capsule 300 mg capsule | $0.498 per capsule 3 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once