NCIt definition : A fixed combination of atazanavir, a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease
inhibitor, and ritonavir, a cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitor, that may be used
to treat HIV-1 infection. Upon oral administration of atazanavir/ritonavir, atazanavir
selectively binds to the active site of HIV-1 protease and inhibits the proteolytic
cleavage of viral Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins in HIV-infected cells. This inhibition
leads to the production of immature, non-infectious viral proteins that are unable
to form mature virions. Ritonavir inhibits CYP3A4, thereby limiting the metabolism
of atazanavir, which is a CYP3A4 substrate, and increasing its systemic exposure.
This leads to an increased concentration and half-life of atazanavir as compared to
the administration of atazanavir without ritonavir.;