Question
Interactions between ART and supplements
3 July 2023. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.
Hi there, are there interactions between Biktarvy and Chaga mushroom supplement? Or possible Turkey Tail mushroom as a supplement?
Answer
Hi there
The best way to research potential interactions is to use the Liverpool University online interaction checker:
https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/checker
If you type the supplement name into the co-medications header to see whether it is included here. In this case, chaga is not included.
If other online information about the supplement includes potential drug interactions with any medicine, it is better to be cautious and to not use it.
Supplements are also difficult because details of dose and active ingredients vary. None of these products are regulated, and several studies report that actual contents are often very different to the claimed content. Often this can be much higher or much lower.
Perhaps most importantly, very few supplements have the proven medical benefits that are claimed for them. Without proof, please be cautious that the supplements could be more likely to cause harm rather than benefit.
Please talk to your HIV pharmacist about these concerns and they can advise based on the potential likelihood of interactions.
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