Question
Can I take PrEP and supplements together?
5 July 2024. Related: All topics, Drug interactions, PrEP.
Is prep best taken with food or without ? Is it affected by the iron in multivitamin tablets if taken at the same time ? Thank you
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
PrEP can be taken with or without food.
It is recommended that iron supplements be taken at least 6 hours before or 2 hours after the time you take PrEP. Taking them together can reduce how much PrEP is absorbed and prevent it working as well.
Often the easiest thing is to take the supplement at the opposite end of the day to PrEP e.g., supplement in the morning and PrEP in the evening.
Hi Khyal, PrEP is very effective and the double dose when your started should mean you are protected.
I had unprotected anal sex ( I was receiving partner) and I took two pills of prep in the morning the day before. Together with the pills I also took a pill that contains 20 mg of iron and 7 mg of zinc. The day I had the sex I also took prep together with creating and a pill that contains 7mg of zinc. Should I be concerned that prep won’t protect me from hiv as I know that iron and zinc interfere with its efficiency
Hi Gaadi, i-Base do not recommend any supplements unless they are recommended by your doctor. If you are HIV positive your doctor should only uses HIV meds that will not affect your bones.
Am also sometimes taking Oxygen, Septoguard and Selenium. Would like to know if the above are alright. Am also having osteoarthritis what can I take for it whilst also on ART?
Hi Gaadi, no, only one of these is needed.
PrEP can only be taken by people who are HIV negative.
ART is a treatment for people who are HIV positive.
Can I take Prep together with ART?