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.
Can I take clover, Ginger and garlic at the same time while on HIV treatment?
Hi Tee, yes this is okay. You can eat garlic and drink clove tea while on ARVs. These foods as part of a diet rather than a supplement are not ingested in high enough quantities to interact with your treatment.
It is also okay to drink cinnamon and Joko tea.
Hi is it okay to drink garlic and cloves tea while on ARVs?…
And what about cinnamon and Joko tea?…Thank you for your answer
Hi Nomhle, yes you can. There is no interaction between gelatine powder and lamivudine/dolutegravir.
Hi can i take gelatine powder while im using lamuvidine and dolutegravir
Thank you dear for the advice
Hi Cali, as is with a balanced diet, ginger tea and clove tea is not going to be any problem while you are on treatment.
Is ginger tea and clove tea good for me , if I’m on HIV treatment.
Can I take ARVs along with magnesium citrate
Hi Alex, there is some risk of magnesium interacting with treatment. To avoid this interaction it is advised that you take your treatment and magnesium at opposite ends of the day e.g., ARVs in the morning and magnesium in the evening.