September 4, 2012

Norvir-Boosted Reyataz Linked to High Kidney Stone Risk

People living with HIV using Norvir (ritonavir)-boosted Reyataz (atazanavir) were roughly ten times more likely to experience kidney stones, compared with those using other Norvir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimens, according to a review of patient data conducted by Japanese researchers published online ahead of print by Clinical Infectious Diseases. In their analysis of 1,240 people treated with a Norvir-boosted PI regimen between 2004 and 2010, 35 HIV-positive individuals experienced kidney stones—31 (88.5 percent) of whom were using Norvir-boosted Reyataz. The kidney stone incidence rate was 7 percent among those using Norvir-boosted Reyataz, compared with 0.5 percent among those using other Norvir-boosted PI regimens.  Additionally, six of 18 people who continued using Norvir-boosted Reyataz after being diagnosed with kidney stones experienced a recurrence after an average of five months. Norvir-boosted Reyataz “should be carefully prescribed to patients with predisposing factors for renal stone formation or those with chronic kidney disease,” the authors conclude. “For those who developed [Norvir-boosted Reyataz]-induced renal stones, discontinuation of [the regimen] is warranted because of the high risk of recurrence.”

To read the Clinical Infectious Diseases article (paid subscription required), click here.

Search: hiv, kidney stones, neprhrolithiasis, renal stones, atazanavir, reytaz, norvir, ritonavir, japan, tokyo

Scroll down to comment on this story.

Previous Comments:

Rodeo 30yrs & still ticking, , 2012-09-13 11:16:12
After 4 years of passing kidney stones and even surgical removal, I am now off Reyataz and on Prezista to avoid this side effect. I have not had any other issues. Nor have I had a detectable viral load for my entire time on Norvir/Reyataz/Trizavir.

Chuck, Tigard, 2012-09-05 11:29:08
I took Norvir with Truvada for 6 months. A torn muscle covered the symptoms of gall stones. So things got bad. Almost lost my gall bladder. Then my cheeks hollowed and haven't come back. I'd stay away from Norvir. Too toxic. Too bad Medicare doesn't cover filler for my cheeks. Now I don't look like myself and don't go out anymore. Can't afford the filler myself. The makers of Norvir should compensate for this damage. They know how toxic it is. Others I know suffered worse side effects.