Interactions with Descovy: Exploring effects with supplements, alcohol, and additional factors
Descovy is a drug used for the treatment of HIV in adults and some children, and also for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent the spread of the virus. However, it's important to be aware of potential interactions that could affect its safety and effectiveness.
Liver and Kidney Problems
If you have liver problems or kidney problems, your risk of side effects from Descovy may be higher. Before taking Descovy, it's crucial to tell your doctor if you have a liver problem or kidney problem.
Drug Interactions
Descovy may interact with a variety of drugs, including seizure drugs, antibiotic drugs, antiviral drugs, immunosuppressant drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), carvedilol, verapamil, amiodarone, tipranavir when taken in combination with ritonavir, and more. It's essential to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you take before starting treatment with Descovy to avoid potential interactions.
Interaction with Cannabis and CBD
There is a specific interaction between Descovy and cannabis, as well as cannabidiol (CBD). This interaction mainly involves increased levels of Descovy's active ingredient due to inhibited metabolism, which may heighten the risk of side effects.
CBD has been reported to block the body's ability to break down Descovy's active drug, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), potentially increasing Descovy's levels in the body. Cannabis use itself is known to possibly raise levels of tenofovir (an active component related to TAF seen in similar drugs like Truvada) in the bloodstream, which may also increase side effect risk.
To mitigate these risks, it's recommended to inform your healthcare provider if you use cannabis or CBD before starting Descovy. It's also advisable to avoid or carefully monitor concurrent use of cannabis, CBD, and Descovy under medical supervision. Following the prescribed dosing and reporting any unusual side effects promptly to your doctor is also crucial.
No Known Interaction with Alcohol
There's no known interaction between Descovy and alcohol. However, it's always a good idea to discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor, as they can recommend whether you should limit the amount of alcohol you consume while taking Descovy.
No Known Interaction with Vaccines or Lab Tests
No known interactions exist between Descovy and vaccines or lab test results. However, full disclosure to your healthcare provider about cannabis or CBD use is important to prevent potential interactions.
In summary, potential drug interactions between Descovy and cannabis or CBD mainly involve increased levels of Descovy's active ingredient due to inhibited metabolism, which may heighten side effects risk. Always consult your healthcare provider to manage these interactions safely. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
For more detailed information about Descovy's interactions, see the "Descovy overview article" or the "Descovy and other interactions" section.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7031265/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6320766/ [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5801220/
If you have liver problems or kidney problems, you may be at a higher risk of side effects from Descovy. Before taking Descovy, it's crucial to inform your doctor about any pre-existing medical conditions, such as liver problems or kidney problems.
Descovy may interact with various drugs, including cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD), which can result in increased levels of Descovy's active ingredient, potentially heightening the risk of side effects. Always inform your healthcare provider about any medications, including cannabis or CBD, before starting Descovy to avoid potential interactions.
