Question
Will these supplements be OK to take with my HIV treatment?
24 July 2009. Related: All topics, Supplements and herbs.
Will these supplements be OK to take with my HIV treatment: garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, cayenne, cardiosterol
Answer
Garlic is fine, as long as you are not on protease inhibitors (in particular saquinavir). Generally, however, it is good to avoid it if you use a PI, as it may reduce the drug concentration.
Ginger is fine. Especially, if you have problems with the stomach while on medicines.
Ginkgo biloba is fine too, but people with low platelets, as well as people prone to sudden bleeding or women with heavy menstruation, is better to avoid it. This is because it prevents platelet clumping.
Cayenne is generally fine, but should be avoided with ACE inhibitors, stomach acid reducers, aspirin, blood thinning medicines and theophylline.
Finally, I have not heard of any studies re: cardiosterol. If you decide to use it, then you should do that with caution and if you notice anything unusual, you should contact your doctor ASAP.
Hi Afonso,
Ocassionally everyone misses a dose or two. So it’s great that, for you, this is the 1st time in 12 years.
Some drugs, for example Atripla, take a long time to leave your body. So, Atripla would cover you for two days. But please don’t worry. However, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about this accident after your trip.
Do you have access to your latest CD4 and viral load results? And what HIV meds are you taking? Please let us know.
Hello, I am on a trip for 2 days( 4 doses/ every 12h) and I forgot to take my pills. 1st time it happened in 12 years. My doubt is: do I have enough medication in my blood to protect me from the Hiv virus while Im abroad or Do I hAVe to worry??
Hi Modupe,
Yes its ok to use these ingredients in your cooking.
Can I cook with tumeric, ginger and garlic while taking tenofovir for hepatitis b
Hi Brian.
Please see Q 13 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
If you’ve weight issues as well as changes in your complection, please see a doctor about this.
hi
I take tenofovir disoproxil fumarate,what dietary supplement can I take(in the form of tablelets),I can hardly get a balanced diet because of reasons beyond my control,I’m getting thin and now I’m really dark than my normal complexion, please help me,may be the supplements can change the situation a little bit.
Hi Silindile,
Please see Q 13 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Can I take Turmeric capsules curcumin Extract if I’m on ARV’s treatment?
Yes, the case is described in the following publication: Wiegman D-J et al. Interaction of Gingko biloba with efavirenz. AIDS 23: 1184-85, 2009.
It is worth noting that it is one case and it is the person who claims perfect adherence. In my opinion more data are necessary before any conclusions can be made.
In addition, this is only with EFV, and EFV is metabolised ‘strangely’ by some people, because of their genetic background, diet, etc.
Sometimes some treatment journalists tend to overact to one-off ‘news’, but you are right that it is always best for the person to receive all the information before he/she can make their mind whether to use or not a certain product.
Thanks for pointing that.
S.
Hi Svilen.
Wasn’t there a case of reduced Efavirenz concentration related to concomitant Ginkgo Biloba use?
Michael.