Also indexed as: d4T, Stauvudine, Zerit®
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May be Beneficial: Depletion or
interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or
function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. |
Acetyl-L-carnitine
|
| May be Beneficial: Side effect
reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or
severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication. |
Acetyl-L-carnitine
Vitamin B1*
|
| Supportive interaction |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
| Adverse interaction |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Vitamin B1
(thiamine)
A 30-year-old woman who was taking stavudine developed a rare side effect called lactic
acidosis, which was successfully treated with intravenous thiamine.1 Controlled
studies are needed to determine whether lactic acidosis might be prevented if people taking
stavudine supplement with vitamin B1. Until more information is available, some health
practitioners may recommend supplemental vitamin B1 to individuals taking stavudine.
Acetyl-L-carnitine
Severe peripheral neuropathy (painful sensations due to nerve damage in the hands and feet)
often develops in people taking stavudine or other drugs in its class. People with peripheral
neuropathy who were taking one of these drugs were found to be deficient in
acetyl-L-carnitine.2 In a preliminary trial, supplementing with 1,500 mg of
acetyl-L-carnitine twice a day resulted in improvement in the neuropathy after six months in
people taking stavudine or related drugs.3
References
1. Schramm C, Wanitschke R, Galle PR. Thiamin for the treatment of
nucleoside analogue-induced severe lactic acidosis. Eur J Anaesthesiol
1999;16:733–5.
2. Famularo G, Moretti S, Marcellini S, et al. Acetyl-carnitine
deficiency in AIDS patients with neurotoxicity on treatment with antiretroviral nucleoside
analogues. AIDS 1997;11:185–90.
3. Hart AM, Wilson ADH, Montovani C, et al. Acetyl-l-carnitine: a
pathogenesis based treatment for HIV-associated antiretroviral toxic neuropathy. AIDS
2004;18:1549–60.
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Medicines with Vitamins and Herbs
The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational
purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro),
clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may
not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with
prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor,
practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or
before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2005.