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.
Hi Zipho, yes you can drink cloves while taking ARVs. There is no interaction between them.