| What Westerners consider to be "alternative" or | | | | taking a protease inhibitor found that a twice-daily |
| "complementary" medicine can be thought of as | | | | garlic supplement lowered blood levels of the |
| established medical tradition for much of the rest of | | | | protease inhibitor. Garlic used for cooking is safe, |
| the world. The therapeutic value of certain plants in | | | | however. |
| the treatment of human disorders, gained by | | | | - St. John's Wort (Hypericum): This popular herbal |
| generations of people, is becoming even more | | | | antidepressant has been shown to lower blood levels |
| recognized in the developed world. However, it is | | | | of indinavir, and potentially, all protease inhibitors and |
| important to note that herbals are not a cure-all. This | | | | the NNRTIs efavirenz (Sustiva, also in the |
| article is aimed specifically at people with HIV or | | | | combination pill Atripla) and nevirapine (Viramune). |
| AIDS. It seems that some popular dietary | | | | - Sutherlandia (Sutherlandia frutescens): An herb |
| supplements, including several that recommended by | | | | which is used in Africa for the treatment of people |
| herbalists for HIV treatment, may contain one or | | | | with HIV has been shown by laboratory studies to |
| more herbs that could interact negatively with | | | | interact negatively with anti-HIV drugs. |
| conventional retroviral medications. Prolonged use of | | | | Admittedly, some of these findings are considered |
| these herbs by many HIV+ people can lead to the | | | | controversial, since there exist studies which conclude |
| development of drug-resistant HIV strains. Please | | | | that these particular plants are safe to use while |
| consider the below information carefully. | | | | taking anti-virals. Research is ongoing to learn more |
| Some documented adverse interactions: | | | | about interactions between HIV anti-viral medications |
| - African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea): Although | | | | and herbs. If you have HIV or AIDS, and are |
| widely used in Africa as a traditional remedy for a | | | | considering using a complementary or alternative |
| variety of ailments, Some lab studies have | | | | supplement to relieve symptoms or halt the progress |
| demonstrated that African potato can lower the | | | | of the disease, please discuss it with your physician |
| effectiveness of HIV retroviral medicine by as much | | | | before deciding on a vitamin or herbal supplement. |
| as 80%. This is because substances in African potato | | | | She or he will be able to tell you if there is a risk of |
| compete metabolically with anti-HIV protease | | | | an interaction between a specific herb and anti-HIV |
| inhibitors. | | | | drugs. It is also advised to check with a dietitian to |
| - Garlic: Garlic dietary supplements must be used with | | | | analyze your diet and advise you on the best |
| care. Studies have documented that garlic may | | | | nutritional intake so you can meet your vitamin and |
| prevent optmimal processing of protease inhibitors | | | | mineral requirements through both foods and |
| and NNRTIs. One study of HIV-negative persons | | | | supplements. |