Question
Can I take multivitamins and minerals with ARVs?
28 July 2016. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.
Answer
Hi
Multivitamins are minerals are only really needed if you have a deficiency or if you don;t have a balanced and nutritious diet.
So long as you use recommend dose they will not do any harm.
The only ARVs that interact with multivitamins are integrate inhibitors. It this case you just need to separate dosing of the multivitamins and ARVs by at least four hours
Hi Mapula, if your HIV meds are called TLD or include dolutegravir, please see info at this link about magnesium interactions:
https://i-base.info/guides/14970
Hi.i am on DS 24 multivitamin adn Dr recommended magnesium for fatigue.am I safe?
Hi Mandisa, do you know what your CD4 count is? and what ‘immune boosters’ and multivitamins do you want to take?
Aside from HIV treatment, there are no additional supplements you need to be taking to ‘boost’ your immune system. There is no evidence-based research to suggest that ‘immune boosters’ will help to improve your health.
If you are intending to take these supplements it is advised to take them at the opposite end of the day to your treatment. Some multivitamins contain minerals that will reduce how much HIV treatment is absorbed – this will impact your CD4 count and viral load.
If you take your HIV treatment in the morning, taking these supplements in the evening is long enough to prevent any risk of interaction.
Hey Doc I’m living with HIV and my immune system is very weak then I want to know that can I take the immune boosters and multivitamin at the same time with my ARVs please i need your help.
Hi Lindiwe, as with most supplements it will be recommended to take them at the opposite end of the day to your ARVs.
This is because most supplements contain the minerals calcium, magnesium and/or zinc. In this case, these minerals can reduce how much of the ARVs are absorbed and the treatment will be less effective.
As a minimum you need to take the supplements at least 6 hours BEFORE or 2 hours AFTER taking your ARVs. This amount of time is long enough to prevent any risk of interaction and both will work.
Hi can I take immune with arvs Sametime