Question
Do antibiotics interact with HIV meds?
9 February 2008. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.
I have been HIV+ for 3 years and I take Atripla (efavirenz+tenofovir+FTC) and I currently have an undetectable viral load.
I haven’t had a cold in these last 3 years and always get my flu shot.
My question is I just got a cold and I am taking antibiotics to treat my cold. I am in any danger of a drug interaction affecting my HIV treatment?
Answer
Anyone taking HIV treatment is right to ask about interactions with any other treatments.
Drug reactions are complicated and this is an expert field. I always check with the interaction charts produced in collaborations Liverpool University at www.HIV-druginteractions.org
Antibiotics are usually pretty safe, but it is always worth checking.
Based on the information on this site:
Clarithromycin levels may be reduced and efavirenz levels increased when taken together, and because the implications of this are not know, an alternative antibiotic is recommended.
Streptomycin is not recommended with tenofovir (because of potential for kidney complications).
As long as you are not using either of these two drugs there is no problem. If you have been prescribed either of these, then a short course may still be ok, but you should contact your pharmacist first.
Hi Mzwai,
Moxypen 500 contains amoxicillin. This HIV drug interactions website says amoxicillin doesn’t interact with most ARVs. So it looks like it’s OK to use.
But have you talked to your doctor about another infection that you are treating with Moxypen? If you have a sore throat or bronchitis it’s a good idea to get this looked at by your doctor.
Hi m iam sbu iam taking ARVs so now I bought moxypen 500 antibiotics is OK to use moxypen while you taking ARVs?
Hi Li,
What meds are you taking?
Can i take diphenhydramine 30mins before my time to take ARV?
Hi Michael,
HIV in breastmilk can be infectious to a baby but is unlikely to be infectious to an adult.
If you are taking Atroiza how is it going? Is your viral load undetectable? If so that means you can have sex without using condoms. Please see U=U.
However, Atroiza doesn’t protect against other STIs. So it’s a good idea to have a sexual health check if you think you have other STIs.
Can breast milk aftect you if taking atroiza and have no rcolaction of the status of your partner if he or she has std or hiv
Hi Annah,
What ARVs are you taking? What antibiotics are you taking? When you say sick, what do you mean?
Annah
I’m on my ARV’s and when i take antibiotic i very very sick
Hi Miss T,
It could be a mild reaction and one that will go with some antihistamines. However, it could be a sign of a more serious side effect, therefore you will need to talk to your doctor.
I developed rash after I started taking tribuss a week after does it means I have to change them?