Question
I'm HIV positive and on Bactrim. Can I continue take Centrum multivitamins?
2 March 2012. Related: All topics, Drug interactions, Newly diagnosed, Supplements and herbs.
I am newly diagnosed with HIV. I am taking Truvada (tenofovir + FTC), Stocrin (efavirenz) and Bactrim for lung infection. Can I continue take multivitamins?
Answer
I am very sorry to hear about your new diagnosis and the lung infection.
You can take multivitamins with your current medication. There is no drug interaction between the multi vitamins and your HIV medication, including Bactrim. However, if you want to take other supplements or herbs, please talk to your doctor about it first as they have the potential to interact with HIV treatment.
Vitamins, minerals, and other supplements have no direct activity against HIV and are not a replacement for antiretroviral therapy.
Please look at this link for more information on vitamins and supplements.
When someone who is newly diagnosed, there are a few factors that you need to know about starting treatment. This is a link for more information about starting your treatment.
Can I ask whether you currently have any support? Getting support from your local support group or a counsellor can help you to come to terms living with HIV. In addition, you will be able to gain and share experiences with others who are in the similar situation as you, rather than having to deal with it in isolation.
Hi Puleng,
The only thing that will boost your partners immune system, so in this case their CD4 is meds. Therefore, if they are worried about their immune system, they should start treatment.
Hi, I’m positive and on meds, whereas my partner is positive and not on meds. Can he take centrum for adult to boost his immune system?
Hi Theembinkosi,
If you’re planning on taking supplements, you should discuss this with your doctor.
I’m HIV positve, I use ARVs., can I use glutamed?
Hi Monica, please talk to your doctor about both the skin and hair changes. HIV drugs are not reported to have these side effects. Some people who are HIV negative have similar troubles and so HIV may not be the cause.
The colour of ma skin is dark ever since using the Arvs,nd I change the centrum, now I’m using activovite,nd ma hair is loss now,what can I do to prevent this thing
Hi melikhaya
Please see an answer to your post here:
http://i-base.info/qa/12084
hi am hiv postive and nw i experincing skin changes – how can i cure skin changes my skin turn to be white. I am on arv for more than three years. Can arv can cure my skin changes or i mst go to skin doctor? plz reply to my email
Hi Bianca
Please speak to a doctor about any health worry or symptom. They will be able to give good advice for how to treat or manage this.
There is unlikely to be evidence that multivitamins will help.
Hi. I have been living with HIV for 10 months now and I’m drinking my medication properly but recently I’ve noticed that my hair isn’t growing properly. Can I use the Centrum Adult for my hair growth?