-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
AIDS/HIV Naturopathic Treatment
Support for patients taking pharmaceutical drugs
Integrative Therapies
definition
Treatment Principle #9.
Support for patients taking pharmaceutical drugs
AZT
Carnitine & myopathy and immune suppression
Tissue depletion of L-carnitine by zidovudine induces myopathies and impaired lymphocyte function. 253
A marked decrease in total and free carnitine was observed in 21 (72%) of AIDS subjects on Zidovudine. 51
Vitamin B12 & peripheral neuropathy
Decreased cobalamin levels are found frequently in HIV disease, especially among those treated with zidovudine. Evidence of B12 malabsorption is found among those with more advanced disease and gastrointestinal symptoms. Serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in patients with subnormal cobalamin levels. 100
Vitamin E & bone marrow suppression
Tocopherol partially reverses the myelosuppressive action of AZT in HIV-positive patients. 23
Zinc
Zidovudine (ZDV) treated subjects demonstrated alterations in hematological and nutritional parameters. A large proportion of the ZDV-treated participants exhibited decreased levels of zinc and copper along with a significant increase in red cell folate. The level of plasma zinc appeared to be particularly important in maintaining immune function in the ZDV-treated group. 254
Crixivan/Indinavir
Kidney tonic tea for those on Indinavir to prevent kidney stones (decoction of Arctostaphylus, Zea mays, Eupatorium, Equisetum, Symphytum radix, Verbascum, Barosma in equal proportions).
ddI and Isoniazid
In the absence of any disease-induced pathology, ddI and isoniazid can induce neuropathy Myelin splitting and intramyelin edema were the most frequent abnormalities observed in the sciatic nerves of ddI-dosed rats, whereas whorls, extracellular debris, macrophages, and reduced myelinated axon number were seen following chronic isoniazid administration. Isoniazid also resulted in myelinopathy of the CNS. 255. The use of omega 3 oils may be helpful in mitigating the inflammation assooicated with neuropathy (GLA 500 mg twice daily).
Hepatoprotection
Silymarin (see also section 4)
Silymarin, an anti-oxidant flavonoid isolated from artichoke, could be a useful anti-tumor promoting agent capable of ameliorating the tumor promoting effects of a wide range of tumor promoters. 256.
Lipoic acid (see previous section)
Hypersensitivity Reaction to sulfa drugs (eg, TMP or Bactrim or Septra)
Alka selzer gold - take as directed on package
Quercitin 2 capsules 4-5x day
vitamin C 2 grams q 2 hr
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy usually presenting with lower limb and feet tingling, burning or numbness, usually bilateral can be a side effect of several of the pharmaceutical anti-retroviral drugs and can also appear in the absence of causative drug treatment. Often the following treatment will help.
Vitamin B12 1000 mcg in 1 cc. 1.ml 2x/week for 6 weeks
Cod liver oil 1 tbsp twice daily
Sphingomyelin: Myelin basic protein 1000 mg three times daily (Sphingolin is trade name; made by Cardiovascular Research)
Acupuncture 1-3 treatments/week for 6 weeks
footnotes
HIV/AIDS: Naturopathic Medical Principles and Practice. Standish, Leanna J., Ruhland, John F., DiDomenico, Beth, and Kjersten Gmeiner. Bastyr University AIDS Research Center. November, 1997.
Bastyr Footnotes:
253. Mintz M: Carnitine in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. J Child Neurol 10 Suppl 2:S40-4, 1995
254. Baum MK, Javier JJ, Mantero-Atienza E, Beach RS, Fletcher MA, Sauberlich HE, Feaster D, Shor-Posner G: Zidovudine-associated adverse reactions in a longitudinal study of asymptomatic HIV-1-infected homosexual males. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 4:1218-26, 1991
255. Schmued LC, Albertson CM, Andrews A, Sandberg JA, Nickols J, Slikker W, Jr.: Evaluation of brain and nerve pathology in rats chronically dosed with ddI or isoniazid. Neurotoxicol Teratol 18:555-63, 1996
256. Agarwal R, Katiyar SK, Lundgren DW, Mukhtar H: Inhibitory effect of silymarin, an anti-hepatotoxic flavonoid, on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced epidermal ornithine decarboxylase activity and mRNA in SENCAR mice. Carcinogenesis 15:1099-103, 1994
Special Thanks to Leanna Standish, N.D., Ph.D and the staff of the Bastyr University AIDS Research Center.
Reprinted with permission from Pizzorno J, Murray M, The Textbook of Natural Medicine. Revised Edition. London/New York: Churchill-Livingston, 1999.