Question
Will “immune boosters” help my CD4 count?
18 December 2015. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Drug interactions, Supplements and herbs.
My friend is also on HIV treatment is taking some immune boosters he bought. Would these help my CD4 count too?
Answer
Hi,
HIV treatment (ART) is the only thing that will help make sure your CD4 count goes up or stays stable.
Both you and your friend should be careful about any product that is branded or sold as an ‘immune booster’.
These and other supplements will do nothing to help your CD4 count. As the ingredients are usually unknown, they could potentially be harmful. The advertising is at best misleading and at worst is likely to be lying to scam you out of your money.
Herbs and supplements can also interact with your HIV meds and stop the medicine from working properly.
Before starting ART tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other drugs, medicines or supplements that you are taking.
This online resoure is a really useful way to check for drug interactions.
Hi Annonymus, what is the name of the ART you are taking?
Was recently diagnosed with ischemic heart disease and am a hypertensive patient too…so is Procydin as a supplement along my ARVs,cholesterol and blood pressure meds safe
Hi Anonymous
As the above post states, there is no evidence that immune boosters have any benefit at all. The only proven way to increase your CD4 count is to use the ARVs that you’re now taking.