Pharmacokinetic interactions between antiretroviral drugs and herbal medicines

In spite of an increase in the health service coverage of the country, studies reported that significant proportion of the Ethiopian population still relies on traditional medicine, particularly on the herbal aspect, for their healthcare. The aim of the present study was to determine the extent of the concomitant use of herbal medicines with modern antiretroviral medicines and identify the commonly used herbs among patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June, 2017 among HIV/AIDS patients in five hospitals selected from four regions and one city Administration (Addis Ababa). A total of 768 HIV/AIDS patients were successfully interviewed and included in the analysis. Most 480 (62.5%) of them were on tenofovir-disoproxil fumarate (TDF) plus lamivudine (3TC)and efavirenz (EFV) regimen. Two hundred nineteen (28.5%) patients reported that they had used herbal medicines to treat their illness; of these 145 (66.2%) used herbal products along with modern medicine. Of those who reported to have used herbal medicine with modern medicine, 53 (40.8%) claimed that they took the herbal medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, while 51(39.2%) used for treating co-morbid diseases. Only 33 (15.0%) of those who used herbal medicines along with modern drugs discussed the issue either with their physicians or pharmacists. A total of 31 plant species were reported to be used for the treatment as well as alleviation of symptoms associated with the disease. The most commonly cited herbal medicines that have been used by HIV/AIDS patients to treat their comorbid diseases were Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod. (Moringaceae) (35.6%) followed by Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. (Lamiaceae) (18.0%), Zheneria scabra Sond. (Cucurbitaceae) (7.2%), Allium sativum L. (Alliaceae) (5.7%), and Ruta chalapensis L. (Rutaceae) (5.7%). The study revealed that close to one-third of HIV/AIDS patients interviewed reported use of herbal medicine and almost two-thirds of them did so concomitantly with modern medicine. Only small percentage of the patients who used herbal medicines along with modern drugs disclose the use either to their treating physicians or to counselling pharmacists. Practitioners involved in antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics, therefore, need to inquire information related to the use of herbal medicines and accordingly advise the patients. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, medicinal plant, cross-sectional study, concomitant use, Ethiopia

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Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines for Treating HIV Infections and AIDS

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2012/950757 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Wen Zou ◽

Ying Liu ◽

Jian Wang ◽

Hongjuan Li ◽

Xing Liao

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Oral Candidiasis ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Hiv Infections ◽

Integrated Treatment ◽

Antiretroviral Drugs ◽

Small Sample ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Peripheral Leukocytes

To assess the effects of TCHM on patients with HIV infection and AIDS, we reviewed eleven randomized placebo-controlled trials involving 998 patients. Due to the limited number of RCTs for included trials and the small sample size of each study, we are not able to draw firm conclusions concerning TCHM therapy in treating patients with HIV infection and AIDS. However, some high-quality clinical studies do exist. Studies of diarrhea and oral candidiasis, which are challenging symptoms of AIDS, were demonstrated to have positive effects. Study of peripheral leukocytes, which are a side effect of antiretroviral drugs, suggested that an integrated treatment approach may be of benefit. The overall methodological quality of the trials was adequate; however, randomization methods should be clearly described and fully reported in these trials according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT).

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