Q and A

Question

Does dental treatment have interactions with ARVS?

Hi there

My dentist has given me Metronidazole antibiotics for a gum infection. Is it ok to take these with my HIV medication. I take Kivexa and Raltegravir.

Thanks

Answer

Hello,

Thanks for your question. According to the University of Liverpool HIV-druginteractions.org website there is a potential interaction between metronidazole and abacavir, but this does not require any action.

The information below comes from that website:

Coadministration has not been studied but may increase abacavir concentrations due to inhibition of alcohol dehydrogenase by metronidazole. No a priori dosage adjustment is required as abacavir has a large therapeutic index.

This shouldn’t affect your treatment but there may be a potential for an increase in side effects. If you do notice any symptoms or side effects contact your HIV doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

7 comments

  1. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Anele,

    What ARVs are you taking?

  2. Anele

    Hi there

    I just took out a wisdom tooth and I have been given the following anti biotics. Can I take these with my Arvs??

    Austel co amoxicla
    Anaerbyl 400
    Celebrex 200gr
    And pain killers Gen Payne

  3. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Toothache,

    We are not doctors at i-Base. So it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about this.

    Cotrimoxazole is an antibiotic. This is often given when staring ARVs if you have a CD4 count below 200. But you can talk to your doctor and dentist about this.

    It’s also good to tell them how painful your toothache is. You can work out how urgently you might need dental treatment.

  4. Toothache

    My CD4 is at 127. I’m taking ARV and cotrimoxazole. Will it be safe to have my wisdom tooth extracted? Or do I have to wait until I’m at 200?

  5. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Zachary,

    Some antibiotics can interact with with some HIV meds. So it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist about the meds you’re already taking.

    Please see this website for the HIV drug interaction checker. You and your dentist can access this site from your mobile.

  6. Zachary

    Hi I’m taking efavirenz and tenof em
    I been having pain in my wisdom tooth seems like infection on the tooth. Is it safe to get it extract and take the medication given by dentist for the tooth like antibiotics etc..

  7. Renald

    Hi it’s me, I am also visiting this site on a regular basis, this site is genuinely
    nice and the viewers are in fact sharing nice thoughts.

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