HIV Meds

Integrase Inhibitors – which includes Elvitegravir, Cobicistat, TDF, FTC (Stribild) increase the amount of any amphetamine including meth, MDMA, and Speed (non-meth amphetamines) in your system. This can result in a longer and more intense high than expected, and also a longer, more drawn out, and more intense crash, and longer recovery time. This combination can exacerbate high blood pressure, and contribute to heart or liver problems.

Viral Load can be increased by the toxic ingredients in meth. Viral Load can also increase when we use Tina, caused by the stress of lack of sleep, not getting adequate hydration and caloric intake, and by missing HIV med doses, because we are too high, hyper and forget to dose – especially for meds that need to be taken with food, which we may not feel like eating.

Be extra mindful of your Viral Load if doing Tina, especially if Undetectable Viral Load (U+) is one of your primary sexual health strategies.

Plan for HIV meds before you get high. Create a system to remind yourself. Create a plan for meds that need to be taken with food. It is easy to forget to take meds when on crystal. Meal replacement drinks like Boost, Ensure, meal replacement smoothies, applesauce and drinkable yoghurt can be helpful.

Use new, unused & unshared injection drug gear if injecting, to avoid transmission of HIV and Hep C and other blood-borne infections. You can get unused injection drug gear through any site associated with The Works through Toronto Public Health (TPH).