Nutrition and HIV/AIDS: A Training Manual - Linkages Project

LECTURE NOTES 9: MANAGEMENT OF DRUG AND FOOD INTERACTIONSIN HIV/AIDS THERAPY==============================================================IntroductionAs described in previous sessions, people living with HIV/AIDS risk malnutritionbecause of malabsorption, reduced food intake, and increased loss of nutrients as aresult of infections and viral replication. People living with HIV/AIDS use medicationsto treat HIV/AIDS, opportunistic infections caused by HIV/AIDS, and the commondiseases encountered in resource-constrained settings, such as waterborne diseases,malaria, tuberculosis, and intestinal parasites.Effective medical treatment can slow the progress of HIV, reduce opportunisticinfections, and ease symptoms, but food can interact with drugs and affect thedrugs’ efficacy. Drugs can also interact with foods and nutrients and negativelyaffect nutritional status. The side effects of both traditional and modernmedications can affect both food intake and nutrient absorption and thereby theclient's adherence to medications. Additionally, drugs and food can interact to causeunhealthy side effects. Ultimately, if not addressed, drug and food interactions canresult in poorer health and nutritional status.Purpose (slides 2, 3)The purpose of this session is to equip students with knowledge and skills for thenutritional management of drug and food interactions in HIV/AIDS therapy. Thesession:• Explains why nutritional management of drug and food interactions is importantin HIV/AIDS therapy• Lists common types of drugs taken by people living with HIV/AIDS, types offood-drug interactions, nutritional implications, and appropriate dietaryresponses246