References UK clinical guidance from the NHS, the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). Last updated: April 2026.
Evotaz is a fixed-dose combination tablet containing atazanavir 300mg and cobicistat 150mg. It’s used as part of a combination antiretroviral regimen for HIV-1 treatment. Atazanavir is a protease inhibitor, while cobicistat is a booster that keeps atazanavir levels high enough for once-daily dosing.
How Does Evotaz Work?
Atazanavir blocks HIV protease, preventing the virus from producing functional proteins. Cobicistat inhibits the liver enzyme that breaks down atazanavir, allowing once-daily dosing instead of twice-daily.
Evotaz must be combined with two additional antiretroviral drugs (usually tenofovir + emtricitabine or abacavir + lamivudine) for complete HIV treatment.
Dosage
- One tablet once daily with food
- Food increases absorption — don’t skip it
- Take at the same time each day
Side Effects
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes/skin) — common, cosmetic, not liver damage
- Nausea, diarrhoea
- Headache
- Small rise in serum creatinine (from cobicistat, doesn’t indicate kidney damage)
- Kidney stones (uncommon)
Drug Interactions
Evotaz has numerous interactions. Particularly important:
- Proton pump inhibitors are contraindicated (omeprazole, lansoprazole)
- Some statins require dose adjustment or are contraindicated
- H2 blockers require timing restrictions
Always tell your HIV specialist about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs.
Read more: Atazanavir | Cobicistat | What is HIV?
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s the same combination in a single pill, which simplifies dosing and may improve adherence. Effectiveness is identical.
Why does Evotaz cause jaundice?
Atazanavir inhibits the enzyme that processes bilirubin, causing it to build up and create a yellow tint in the skin and whites of the eyes. It’s not harmful and reverses when the drug is stopped, but some patients find it distressing.
Related reading
- Efavirenz for HIV: An Older NNRTI Still in Use
- Eviplera: How This Anti-HIV Drug Works
- Dolutegravir: A Complete Guide to This HIV Medication
- Understanding Efavirenz in HIV Treatment
- Injectable HIV Treatment: Everything You Need to Know
Sources
- NHS — Sexual health conditions
- BASHH — UK clinical guidelines for STI management
- British HIV Association (BHIVA) — HIV treatment guidelines
- Terrence Higgins Trust — sexual health information
- UK Health Security Agency — STI surveillance data
Steve Page is a recognised expert on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and STD treatments, having published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at conferences around the world. He has an in-depth understanding of the latest medical research on STDs, and is an advocate for the development of new treatments and protocols to improve the health of those affected. In addition to his research, he has dedicated his career to understanding the causes and symptoms of STDs, as well as how to best treat those impacted.
