Theravir® Immune Support Supplement (90-day supply)

Q. How is Theravir different than other multivitamin and mineral supplements?

Theravir’s unique vital immune response formulation is different from other vitamin and mineral supplements as it is specifically based on research to support a healthy immune system.* It contains a blend of vitamin C, vitamin D3, zinc, copper, quercetin, and melatonin.* These nutrients are in higher doses than what is found in a typical daily vitamin and mineral supplement.

Q. What is quercetin?

Quercetin is a nutrient found in red wine, onions, kale, apples, and green tea. It is a natural antioxidant that has been studied and shown to promote healthy immune benefits.*

Q. Who is likely to benefit from Theravir?

Any adult looking for a supplement to help support the body's healthy immune system year round.*

Q. What is the best time of day to take Theravir?

Theravir should be taken 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime because it contains melatonin which can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 4-5 hours after taking Theravir.

Q. Are there any side effects from taking Theravir?

No. There are no expected side effects from Theravir for most healthy individuals. Theravir does contain melatonin which is a neurohormone and can cause drowsiness, “heavy head,” and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 4-5 hours after taking Theravir.

Q. Is there anyone who should not take Theravir?

Yes. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take Theravir. Theravir contains melatonin and there is not enough evidence to determine the safety of melatonin during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Consult with your healthcare provider before using Theravir if you are being treated for an auto-immune disease, depression, diabetes, seizure disorder, or thyroid disease. Melatonin may worsen symptoms of depression in some people. Melatonin in Theravir may increase or decrease blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, so be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels closely. Melatonin may also impact thyroid hormone levels, so if you are taking thyroid medication, discuss whether you can take melatonin with your doctor.

Q. Can I take Theravir with other dietary supplements?

Yes. You can take Theravir with many other supplements, such as omega-3s, glucosamine, cranberry, chondroitin, and PEA. Do not take Theravir with vitamin and mineral supplements that contain zinc as Theravir already contains 40 mg of zinc.

Do not take Theravir with other supplements containing melatonin.

Do not take Theravir if taking Echinacea. Taking echinacea with melatonin (in Theravir) might have negative effects on immune function.

Do not take Theravir if taking St. John’s wort and Vitex angus-castus. Both of these herbs increase melatonin levels in the body. Theravir contains melatonin. In theory, taking either of these supplements might increase the effects and side effects of melatonin.

Q. Does Theravir interact with any prescription medications?

As with any dietary supplement, it is recommended you discuss with your pharmacist and or health care team to clarify whether Theravir can be taken along with your medications.

Medications that are changed by the liver Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP34) substrates (lovastatin, clarithromycin, estrogens and others) - CYP34 are important enzymes in your body, mainly found in the liver to break down medications in the body. Vitamin D may increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking Theravir, which contains 50 mcg (2,000 IU) vitamin D, along with some medications may decrease the effectiveness of these medications.

Quinolone Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), gatifloxacin (Tequin): Quercetin may interfere with the effectiveness of quinolone antibiotics. Do not take TheraVir while taking these antibiotics.

Theravir may also affect the absorption of certain prescription medications as follows:

Antibiotics: Zinc (in Theravir) can bind to antibiotics in the stomach and reduce their absorption and effectiveness. Depending on the antibiotic prescribed, you may need to separate taking any multivitamins from antibiotics by at least 2 to possibly 6 hours or discontinue taking a multivitamin while taking the antibiotic. Please discuss with your pharmacist and healthcare team to determine if you should stop taking your multivitamin for a short period of time.

• • Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) – Separate by 2 hours
• • Cephalexin (Keflex) – Take Theravir 3 hours or more after taking this antibiotic.
• • Tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline, demeclocycline)- Separate by 4 hours

Anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), valproic acid (Depakene), gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and phenytoin (Dilantin)): These medications help to prevent seizures. Theravir contains melatonin, which may decrease the effectiveness of these anticonvulsants.

Antihypertensive Drugs (blood pressure medications such as captopril, enalapril, losartan, valsartan, diltiazem, amlodipine, quinapril, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide): Quercetin (in Theravir) can modestly decrease blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. Theoretically, it might have additive blood pressure lowering effects when used with antihypertensive drugs and increase the risk of hypotension. Also, melatonin (also in Theravir) may make blood pressure worse in those already taking medications for high blood pressure. Separate by 2 hours and monitor your blood pressure closely.

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) - This medication helps control cholesterol levels in the body. Taking it with Theravir, which contains 50 mcg (2,000 IU) of vitamin D, may decrease the amount of atorvastatin absorbed by the body. Separate by a minimum of 2 hours.

Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune): These medications are used to prevent rejection of grafts and transplants and to treat antiarthritic and psoriasis. The quercetin in Prostate PQ may increase blood levels and prolong the half-life of a single dose of cyclosporine. Use with caution.

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetic drugs): Use Theravir cautiously as it contains melatonin. There is some concern that melatonin may increase or decrease blood sugar levels, and thus decrease or increase the effectiveness of these medications.

Medications that lower the seizure threshold (anesthetics (propofol, others), antiarrhythmics (mexiletine), antidepressants (bupropion, others), antihistamines (cyproheptadine, others), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), narcotics (fentanyl, others), stimulants (methylphenidate), and theophylline):Theravir contains melatonin. Melatonin might increase the risk of seizures in some people. Use Theravir cautiously with drugs that lower the seizure threshold.

Immunosuppressants (azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), and other corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)): These medications decrease the immune system and Theravir may interfere with these immunosuppressive medications.

Thiazide diuretics (aka: water pills) – These medications are used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, as well as the accumulation of fluid and swelling (edema) in the body. These medications also increase the amount of calcium in the body. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Taking TheraVir, which contains 50 mcg (2,000 IU) vitamin D, along with these medications may cause too much calcium in the body.

Warfarin (Coumadin): Theravir contains melatonin. Melatonin may increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

If you still have questions about Theravir, please visit the general FAQ page.

Feel free to reach out to the Nutrition Department by phone at (888) 899-3899 ext. 2 or by email here.