Forum on Choosing Your Meds: Atripla and Extenze

Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.

		Atripla and Extenze Jul 30, 2009 I just had a quick question. I've been researching everywhere but couldnt find an answer, if I'm taking Atripla, can I take Extenze?


Advertisement Response from Dr. Young A quick question and maybe a quick answer; but a complex analysis. I wouldn't recommend taking Extenze if you're taking tenofovir/FTC/efavirenz (Atripla). There are many products in the Extenze pill (Ginseng-Eleuthero, Oat Straw, Saw Palmetto, Tribulus Terrestris, Sarsaparilla Calcium, Yohimbe, Maca Extract, Catuaba Muira Puama Nettle Astragalus, Cayenne, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Boron, Zinc). Many of the interactions between these compounds and those in Atripla of these have not been studied. For example, Ginko is metabolized by the liver cytochrome P450 system-- the very way the efavirenz is eliminated from the body, leading to potential problems. There is at least one published case report of treatment failure and sub-therapeutic levels of efavirenz in a patient who was also taking Ginko. Given such unknowns, I don't advise the mixing of HIV medications with supplements and herbals, unless well characterized. BY Want to read more questions and answers on this subject? Our experts have answered many similar questions! Want to read more about this topic? Browse through our articles!

Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.

Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their messages.

Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.

Copyright notice.

The Body is a service of Body Health Resources Corporation, 250 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10107. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Body Health Resources Corporation, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your healthcare provider.