Question
Can I take a zinc supplement with raltegravir?
2 September 2020. Related: All topics.
Is it ok to take zinc supplements with my meds, which are Isentres and Truvada? I take the HIV meds at lunchtime around 12:30, and am thinking of taking the zinc supplements at dinner time around 7:30 pm.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
To be on the safe side, due to the raltegravir ( please see here: https://i-base.info/guides/3567) it’s best to take the zinc 6hrs before or after you take your ARVs. Therefore, the times that you’ve mentioned work out fine. However, it’s important to add that this only applies if you’re taking raltegravir twice a day, if you’re on the once a day tablet, you should avoid taking zinc.
Hello Lucy and thank you for the question
Vitamin and mineral supplements only help if you have a deficiency of that vitamin/mineral.
Some supplements interact with current ARVs – which means they don’t let ARVs to work properly (you can check here if there are interactions: https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org)
There is little benefit from taking vitamins in larger amounts (usually by supplements). There is also a small risk of developing vitamin toxicity. This can happen after eating too much of a certain food or taking high dose vitamin or mineral supplements.
However, if you are struggling to eat a balanced diet and provide your body with enough nutrients from food, you should consider speaking with your GP, health worker or dietician about this.