Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Hello,
I am interested in starting to take Noni Juice. My question is whether there
is any kind of interrraction with the following medications that I am taking,
or will taking the noni juice decrease some of the drugs benefits? I am
currently taking: Viread, Sustiva, Kaletra, Tricor, Lipitor. Will it be okay to
take the Noni Juice?
Thank You
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
Noni juice has been used by many persons living with HIV, although, to my knowledge, there has never been a published study of its results.
The question you bring up is an interesting one-it would be important to know if there was any interaction with your meds-and, unfortunately but simply, it has not been studied. There tends to be a perception that "alternative" and complementary therapies will never have a harmful effect, but as we have learned with Crixivan (and likely, all the protease inhibitors), taking St. John's wort (an herbal substance) simultaneously will cause markedly decreased protease levels. Same is true for garlic and saquinavir.
So, for lack of a true study or measurement on which to base your decision, you could consider trying it out: Then, if your HIV labs (T-cells and viral load) change for the worse, you would then have a reasonable "suspect."
Please be sure to discuss all of this with your provider before leaping onto it....and good luck!
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