January 2001
Street Drugs and HIV/AIDS

Information on how HIV medications we take to fight it and how street drugs interact in our body is in short supply. “Why?” Well pharmaceutical companies are not likely to do research for a number of reasons. Money is always first; it isn’t seen as an issue that affects a large amount of people. Second and the most difficult obstacle, is finding consistent supplies of “pure” street drugs to use in testing. (And is this realistic information when purity and measured doses don’t happen in the real drug world?) Third, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) would need to approve the monitoring of people who are taking both anti-HIV medications and street drugs. This is unlikely, since the public may perceive this as being “soft on drugs,” and there may be legal responsibility of whomever did the research.

Here is a brief summary of the information that was available:

ALCOHOL: Occasional and light use of alcohol is not known to interact with most HIV medications. However, chronic or heavy drinking can be destructive to the liver. Mixing Videx (ddl) with alcohol can increase the risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Alcohol increases Ziagen (abacavir) levels in the blood, this isn’t helpful because it doesn’t fight HIV any better and will likely increase side effects.

COCAINE: There are no studies to know about coke’s interaction with antiretrovirals but it is believed unlikely that cocaine would interact with them. However, there is no method of using coke that is a party for your immune system. In one test-tube study, cocaine made HIV reproduce 20 times faster than it would normally. Which can mean you could get sick faster and anti-HIV medications may stop working.

ECTASY (MDMA): Some HIV drugs may cause a three to tenfold increase of MDMA in the blood, so it is possible to overdose on MDMA and die.

HEROIN: Heroin is metabolized more quickly when taken with HIV drugs. It doesn’t mix well with any other drugs, which makes your chances of becoming unconscious, vomiting and choking greater

.LSD: There are no known interactions with acid, but it’s never been studied

METHAMPHETAMINES/SPEED: Anti-HIV medications have the potential to raise the level of these drugs in you blood 2-3 times higher, especially when taken with ritonavir (Norvir). So, start small and remember, “a little dab will do ya.”

MARIJUANA & MARINOL: Protease inhibitors may increase THV levels (the active ingredient in marijuana), but since THC overdose is impossible, this interaction is not as dangerous.

METHADONE: This is one substance that we do have some study data on. Some HIV medication blood levels are increased by methadone. However, many more medications decrease the affect of methadone. Because of this it is really important to have an HIV specialist who also understands methadone treatment. It’s also really important for you to talk with your provider about how both treatments are working for you.

I’ve been asked “is it harmful to party, drink, smoke, use or get high when you’re HIV+?” My response is, “is it harmful to party, drink, smoke, use or get high if you’re not HIV+?” Medical science shows that all of the above may be harmful in otherwise completely healthy people. The risk varies with how often or how much you use, an your drug tolerance, race, heredity, gender, emotional state, weight and how recently you have eaten. Risk increases when you add any other health problem, like HIV and the medications that go along with being positive. Is the risk worth it? BABES and STEP do not have an opinion on what is right or wrong. We simply encourage you to make an informed choice. Only you can decide what’s best in your life.

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