Question
I have missed a dose, what should i do now?
29 August 2014. Related: Adherence, All topics.
Answer
Hi,
If you have missed a dose you should take it as soon as you remember. If you have only realised when you’re taking your next dose do not take a double dose. Almost everyone will be late or miss a dose occasionally. However this becomes a concern if it is happening regularly.
If you are regularly missing doses you are at risk of developing resistance. This means that you meds will stop working effectively. This is why adherence is important. Adherence means taking your meds every day and as close to the same time as possible.
If you are you can talk to your clinic about why you are missing doses. If it is because of side effects for example there might be different meds available.
There is more detail about what you should do if you miss a dose in this treatment training guide
And more information about adherence in our online guide to treatment.
Hi Lee, thanks for sharing your experience and I am sorry that you are having such a difficult time.
Even without more details, I am sure that you have many other options and so please don’t ever think that you need to give up.
Although you didn’t say your country, having access to Biktarvy sounds like you are in a so-called high-income country. For example, maybe the UK, USA, Europe, Canada or Australia etc where the brand-name combination is widely used.
If yes, then you health system will have access to a wide range of meds that could individualise your care. This means that if you are having trouble with Biktarvy, alternatives will be available, including resistance testing to help pick the options you have.
It also means that other support services including health advisers and counselling that might also help.
If you are able to send more details about your HIV and treatment history, I can help with individual info. If you don’t want to reply publicly online, please email me details in confidence:
questions@i-base.org.uk
I have to take bictarvy now as my doctor changed meds approx 8 months ago. I never wanted to change but he said I had to, anyway, I now have depression, gained a ‘beer belly, due to a build up of some acid in tummy, I hate the way my body looks now, I am partly disabled so I can’t do much excercise and ai am now also impotent.
I hate my life and my doctor is not understanding the impact this is having.
I am greatful I have HIV meds, and back in 2017, I almost lost the battle of HIV, many changes of meds have happened, none of which have seen my CD4 rise above 200.
I wonder if it’s time to throw in the towel?
Hello Caren and thanks for getting in touch.
If you have vomited within 2 hours of the time you took the dose then you can have another dose.
If it’s more than 2 hours then you don’t need to take more of your ARVs.
However, if you are vomiting regularly I would suggest changing the time and the way you take your ARVs.
Try taking them before sleep and with food to see if that will work better.
You can also speak to your doctor as they might prescribe tablets to prevent you from vomiting.
I usually take a dose everyday but this is my second day I have not. This is because, while at work I vomited. Can I take a second dose now?
Hello Alexander
You need to wait for 6 weeks after you finish PEP to have an accurate result
https://i-base.info/qa/20250
Hello, can one negative test conclude that he or she is safe 2 weeks after taking PEP?
Hi Mbali, thanks – it is very safe to change you meds time when you are working shift work. Changing the time to fit your shift work schedule is very safe and will not affct your viral load.
Normally I drink my tablets at 17h30 instead of 02h00 when I’m working night shifts. Can this affect my viral load?