Question
Can I take supplements when I’m HIV positive?
4 August 2010. Related: All topics, Supplements and herbs.
Since I have been taking my HIV regimen the only time I took a vitamin tablet was during my latent TB diagnosis in 2008 (Vitamin B12). I hope vitamin and supplements are not the same?
This supplement came out in Thailand with good results and people were recommending it so much. The supplement was made from rice and called Vital Star.
Why I’m asking is because I don’t want to harm my body with supplements and I don’t know if it is possible for a HIV positive person to take supplements or not.
Please I need your advice but I bought it already.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
It is fine for HIV positive people to take vitamins and supplements. However, you should always check with your doctor first as there are some supplements such as St John’s Wart which interact with certain HIV medications.
For a comprehensive guide to which vitamins and supplements are good for people with HIV please follow this link
Hi Pauline – thanks – and congratulation on doing so well for so long. If you want to take this multivitamin, please see the following guidance:
Do not take at the same time as multivitamin supplements that include calcium, magnesium or aluminium. This also includes antacids that include magnesium or aluminium.
This requires separating the dolutegravir dose. These products need to be taken a minimum of two hours after dolutegravir or six hours before.
https://i-base.info/guides/14970
Hi. I have been on TLD regimen for 4 years now and I’m undetectable. Is it a good idea to take the vital gold women multivitamin? It contains a low dose of evening primrose oil and dolomite which contains zinc and magnesium will it have a significant effect on the effectiveness of my arvs? Since the dose is below the therapeutic range.
Hi Tee, thanks, there are no interactions with teas. Please also see here:
https://i-base.info/qa/23998
Can I take hibiscus tea while on tld medication
Hello Elizabeth and thanks for getting in touch.
That largely depends on which ARVs you take and what exactly is included in ciplaton.
We generally do not recommend supplements to people as some times they can cause toxicities (if you already have enough of the metals and vitamins included in the supplement), and are not well regulated like medication so sometimes they have different amounts of the active substance.
I would suggest checking with a pharmacist and your doctor before taking a supplement
Hi ‘im in Arvs treatment can I take ciplaton capsules (multivitamins)
Hello Elizabeth and thanks for getting in touch.
That largely depends on which ARVs you take and what exactly is included in Chela-fer.
We generally do not recommend supplements to people as some times they can cause toxicities (if you already have enough of the metals and vitamins included in the supplement), and are not well regulated like medication so sometimes they have different amounts of the active substance.
I would suggest checking with a pharmacist and your doctor before taking a supplement
Hi ‘im in Arvs treatment can I take Chela- fer supplement