Question
Can I use acid-reducing agents with my ARV medication?
23 November 2021. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.
Hi, I am currently having an issue with acid reflux and I have tried so many medications but they don’t seem to help. I am currently on ARVs (Abcavir, Lamivudine, Rilpivirine) and want to know if it is safe to take an alkaline powder such as A.Vogel? Please advise because I have been told that it works wonders.
Answer
Hi, how are you? Sorry to hear about your acid reflux.
How long has your reflux been going on? Talking to your doctor and asking about any interactions will be able to help. You have mentioned you are on Edurant, a brand name of Rilpivirine. This medication requires acidity in your stomach to properly work.
In the UK it is recommended that antacids (A.Vogel) be taken at a different time toRilpivirine. Rilpivirine should be taken 4 hours before or 2 hours after the antacid. There areno known interactions with Hteruam (Abcavir and Lamivudine).
If you have any more questions please ask,
Josh.
Hello Joseph and many thanks for the comment.
It would be important to have a discussion with your doctor as there are more ARVs and PPI options nowadays and some would not interact at all.
The newer ARVs also can have less side effects.
Your CD4 count is within a normal range and will be fluctuating anyway, as in any person, whether they live with HIV or not.
You can read more here too: https://i-base.info/ttfa/section-1/9-interpreting-cd4-results-cd4-count-and-cd4-percentage/
Hello all, this thread is a little old, but I will tell you my story. In Feb 2024 I was put on Famotidine for chronic gastritis. Then, my t-cells were in the 800s. A few months later during my quarterly bloodwork I saw my t-cells drop to the 300s. I didn’t realize, nor were the doctors “too worried”, that my t-cells would drop that much. It is because my Atazanivir needs an acidic stomach in order to work. My viral load has been undetectable since 2003. I am hesitant to change my HIV med, but I need the antacid. I have an upcoming bloodwork test so I shall see how much more my t-cells have fallen. If by much more, then it’s time to look for a replacement for Atazanivir. I am also taking Tivicay.
Hi Gisella, thanks, what does your doctor say about this. Modern HIV meds are usually very easy to take and so shouldn’t casue these problems. You don’t include information about your CD4 count or viral load, or the name of your meds, so it is difficult to comment. Please talk to your doctor who can look for what is causing this, in case it is a symptoms of a different infection.
Hi there I am literally tired of trying all the medication and home remedies. I am on ARV but have nausea and vomiting for the past 6 months
Hi John, this is unlikely to cause a problem. It is better to take Biktarvy at least 6 hours after instead of 4. Sooner than this there is still some risk of the antacid preventing all of the ARV being absorbed.
As you have only done this a couple of times, this interaction is unlikely to cause any problems with treatment. This would be more of an issue if continued with this treatment combination for months.
Hi – I’m taking Biktarvy and recently have had a bit of reflux (not sure what’s caused it). I’m a little worried as I’ve taken QuickEze antacid a couple of times. I knew you couldn’t take them at the same time, so I have taken my ARV about 4 hours after. Do you think this will cause any harm to my hiv treatment?