What is the recreational use of ART, including Truvada?
Recreational use of ART (antiretroviral therapy), including drugs like Truvada, is the non-prescribed consumption of these medications for their intoxicating effects. This dangerous practice has become a growing concern, particularly in regions with high HIV prevalence, such as South Africa. One survey of 200 adolescents reported that 3% used non-prescribed ART recreationally themselves and 14% knew someone who used it.
The ART medications are usually sold illegally and often mixed with other substances, creating a dangerous concoction known as "whoonga" or "nyaope” that is mainly smoked for its intoxicating effects. This practice not only diverts essential medication from those who need it, contributing to drug resistance, treatment interruptions, and increased HIV transmission, it also poses severe health risks to those who misuse these drugs.
Many ARTs interact with other recreational substances, such as alcohol, amphetamines, amyl nitrite (poppers), cocaine, and ecstasy, as well as other prescribed medications, such as erectile dysfunction agents. See the Drugs.com Interaction checker for specific information about interactions.
References
- Kuo C, Giovenco D, DeAtley T, Hoare J, Underhill K, Atujuna M, Mathews C, Stein DJ, Brown LK, Operario D. Recreational Use of HIV Antiretroviral Medication and Implications for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Treatment. AIDS Behav. 2020 Sep;24(9):2650-2655. doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02821-5. PMID: 32140876; PMCID: PMC7725396.
- Recreational Drugs and HIV Antiretrovirals. A Guide to Interactions for Clinicians. 2014. https://aidsetc.org/sites/default/files/resources_files/2014_Recreational%20Drug%20Interaction%20Guide.pdf
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