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Drinking
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭

How about getting drunk? Opinions?

posted July 24, 2020
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A myHIVteam Member

I hope this information helps

posted July 24, 2020
A myHIVteam Member

There is no direct interraction between alcohol and your HIV meds. However, there can be an indirect interraction between alcohol and adherence. For example if the drinking result in missed doses on a regular basis.

Taking alcohol once or twice a month with your treatment will not affect the efficacy of your HIV medication (ART). It might be an important part of your life.

Taking alcohol in moderation shouldn’t have an effect on your health or treatment. This is also dependent on not having other liver related probelms like hepatitis B or C.
Becasue your combination includes efavirenz, it is not a good idea to take your meds while you are still out drinking. It is better to take you meds when you come home than wait to the next day. It you tend to come up very late, it is better to take them before you go to sleep than waiting until you wake up the next day.

Also, becasue all your meds have good drugs levels even the next day – both Truvada and efavirenz last a long time – then all these options are actually likely to be okay.

If your combination used different drugs, this advice might be different – ie to take your meds with you so you can take them while you are out.

posted July 24, 2020
A myHIVteam Member

Major Drug Interaction
You do have some things that interfere with your biktarvy. These Items should be taken 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking your biktarvy.
Products that contain aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium or other minerals such as antacids and supplements may interfere with the absorption of bictegravir and reduce its effectiveness in treating HIV infection. Additionally, it may lead to development of viral resistance to this and various other HIV medications that are currently used for treatment. When used with antacids, you should generally take bictegravir on an empty stomach at least two hours before the antacid. Avoid taking bictegravir simultaneously with, or 2 hours after, antacid dosing whenever possible. When used with multivitamin or mineral supplements, you may take bictegravir and supplements together at the same time, but with food. Avoid taking bictegravir on an empty stomach simultaneously with, or 2 hours after, dosing of supplements. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed, or if you have trouble separating the dosing times. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

posted July 24, 2020 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

I drink wine cooler and wine, but not to where I get drunk. Just research your medication to see what it says about alcohol. I was on a medication when I first got diagnosed, that increased the alcohol. So say if you drank 12 beers, this medication would make it look like you drank 24 beers.

posted July 24, 2020
A myHIVteam Member

Glad those days are out of my system. One of the treatment drugs,Combivar made any alcohol impossible. I had a long connection in LaGuardia so ordered nachos and a beer. Not an option. At my friend’s place in Nashville just the wine glass to the lips was revolting.
I went to the LASIK clinic for a routine check up or because the surgeon is a friend. ‘You have a pale hue of yellow in your pretty blue eyes, probably a drug ending its latency’
Had an appointment with my clinical nurse. ‘I think the Combivar is no longer required. You have an appointment with the Phamacy Doctor. ‘This regiment of 3 drugs will work well for you. The combination has shown no side effects. If you have an issue back to the drawing board’
I was in Detroit that New Years and totally was taken with the eggnog flavoured rum.
I drink socially but not to excess.

posted July 24, 2020

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