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What the FDA labels say about taking them together

Atazanavir and esomeprazole

Esomeprazole's FDA label of March 19, 2024 names atazanavir in its drug interactions (prescription label) section; the atazanavir labels PlainMeds reads (2) do not name esomeprazole. The esomeprazole label: “The effect of PPIs on antiretroviral drugs is variable. The clinical importance and the mechanisms behind these interactions are not always known. …”

Check it at the source: the atazanavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 6, 2025, Aurobindo Pharma Limited); the esomeprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 19, 2024, Haleon US Holdings LLC).

What does the atazanavir label say about esomeprazole?

Atazanavir's label (effective August 6, 2025) and its 1 other brand-application label do not name esomeprazole in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.

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 esomeprazole label say about atazanavir?

Esomeprazole label, drug interactions (prescription label)

Antiretrovirals Clinical Impact: The effect of PPIs on antiretroviral drugs is variable. The clinical importance and the mechanisms behind these interactions are not always known. • Decreased exposure of some antiretroviral drugs (…) when used concomitantly with esomeprazole may reduce antiviral effect and promote the development of drug resistance. … Intervention: Rilpivirine-containing products: Concomitant use with NEXIUM is contraindicated [see ]. Atazanavir: See prescribing information for atazanavir for dosing information. Nelfinavir: Avoid concomitant use with NEXIUM. See prescribing information for nelfinavir. …

Esomeprazole Strontium label (R2 Pharma, LLC, September 22, 2016), drug interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Interference with Antiretroviral Therapy Concomitant use of atazanavir and nelfinavir with proton pump inhibitors is not recommended.

Source: FDA drug label (Esomeprazole Strontium, NDA202342), R2 Pharma, LLC, effective September 22, 2016 (SPL set 3c916d32-f9e9-1d15-e054-00144ff88e88), via openFDA

Source: FDA drug label (Nexium 24HR), NDA204655 (Astrazeneca Lp), as published by Haleon US Holdings LLC, effective March 19, 2024 (SPL set 4513934d-0cf0-40fc-a348-b4e75a33b094), 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

4Atazanavir generic labelers
116Esomeprazole generic labelers
AtazanavirEsomeprazole
Labeled forHIVAcid reflux and ulcers
Boxed warningNoNo
Pharmacy cost (NADAC)$2.23 per capsule 300 mg capsule$0.145 per capsule 20 mg capsule
Shortage nowNo current entryNo current entry

Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)

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