Get the Facts
Starting Anti-HIV Medications
...infections. A CD4 count is the number of CD4 cells in a sample of blood. A CD4 count measures the health of the immune system. Drug resistance: HIV can mutate (change form). The altered HIV can multiply even in the presence of anti-HIV medications that would normally kill the virus. One or more drugs in a treatment regimen may become ineffective as a result of drug resistance. Drug resistance testing: laboratory testing to determine if...
Ask the Experts
POSITIVE URINE TEST
Is there any known HIV/AIDS medication that can drop you positive for TCH, I think I heard that sustiva will give you a positive drop for thc is there anything else..
Response from Keith Henry, M.D.
University of Minnesota, School of Medicine
...my knowledge Sustiva (efavirenz) is the only antiretroviral drug that can often cause a false + urine test for marijuana ot THC. Prescription marinol can also cause a positive test. KH Read more »False positive THC in urine
I had heard at one time that a particular HIV medication caused a false positive result (thc) in the urine. Can you tell me what medication it is and any other information you have about it. I am having difficulty finding any information about it on...Response from Keith Henry, M.D.
University of Minnesota, School of Medicine
Sustiva is the HIV drug that has been most linked to false + urine tests for marijuana (Sustiva also know as efavirenz=Stocrine is some parts of the world). KH Read more »Problem pot?
Hi Doc,My partner's been positive for nearly 5 years now, and I'm negative. We have a great sex life, and intend to continue it! We are regular readers of your forum and we love you!My question is this, he sometimes has trouble with depression and...
Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.
The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation
...cultures. These include reducing pain and increasing appetite. Marijuana contains chemicals called cannabinoids. The best known is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. The marijuana "high" is mainly due to THC. Marijuana was used medically in the U.S.... Read more »HIV Meds with false positve results
Is there any existing HIV drug and/or regimen that may cause a false positive urine tox. screen for both THC & benzo? I only know of Sustiva (efavirenz) causing a false positive urine test for THC.
Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.
Rocky Mountain CARES
...You're correct (at least as far as I am aware) that efavirenz may cause a false positive urine tox test for THC. I am not aware of any other medications that cause this nor of medications which may cause a false positive test for benzodiazepines. Read more »
Articles
HIV Drugs and the HIV Lifecycle
... Table of Contents The Basics The HIV Lifecycle Approved HIV Drugs Combining HIV Drugs The Bottom Line The Basics HIV drugs cannot cure HIV but they can help you stay healthy by preventingthe Read more »Did You Just Test HIV Positive?
...Even though there is no cure for HIV disease, there are many treatments that help keep HIV under control. There are now over 20 HIV drugs available. Much has been learned about how to use these drugs more easily and effectively, and with fewer... Read more »
Marijuana
...cultures. These include reducing pain and increasing appetite. Marijuana contains chemicals called cannabinoids. The best known is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. The marijuana "high" is mainly due to THC. Marijuana was used medically in the U.S.... Read more »
