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
Hello Sandra and thanks for getting in touch.
Here in I-base we don’t recommend people to be on supplements, unless their doctor prescribed them.
Some of the supplements are not safe as they are not regulated and can have interactions with ARVs.
If you decide to take supplements you need to make sure you space them from your ARVs by 6 hours if they contain any metals (zinc, magnesium, iron, etc.) otherwise you run the risk of developing resistance.
Finally, it is best to discuss with your doctor any symptoms that make you want to take the supplements.
They can help by ordering tests and prescribing what is right for you and doesn’t interact with your medication.
Can I take shilajit while on arvs
Hello Sonopo and thanks for getting in touch.
First of all, it is best to check for interactions before you start taking a medication.
Second, here in I-base we don’t recommend people to be on supplements, unless their doctor prescribed them.
Some of the supplements are not safe as they are not regulated and can have interactions with ARVs.
If you decide to take supplements you need to make sure you space them from your ARVs by 6 hours if they contain any metals (zinc, magnesium, iron, etc.) otherwise you run the risk of developing resistance.
Finally, it is best to discuss with your doctor any symptoms that make you want to take the supplements.
They can help by ordering tests and prescribe what is right for you and doesn’t interact with your medication.
I’m on ARVs and I started to use turbovite tablets so I worry that it can interact with ARVs