Question
Can i change the time i take my ARVs?
29 January 2016. Related: Adherence, All topics.
I take my ARVs at 8am and 8pm. Can i change it to 10am and 10pm?
Answer
Hi,
This is not a problem as long as you consistently take them at the new time. Jumping back and forth mean you have a risk of developing resistance. This would mean your meds would stop working well.
People do change the time they take their meds for all sorts of reasons though. Again this is ok as long as you keep taking regularly at the new time.
The only concern about switching from evening to morning is if your combination include the drug efavirenz. Efavirenz needs to be taken 1-2 hours before you sleep, so you reduce side effects.
Hi Althea, yes you can switch the time of your medication. As this combination contains efavirenz it is recommended to take these meds before bed to avoid the side effects you have mentioned.
It will be okay to take your normal 8am dose and then a second before bed on that same day. From this point you can continue with your meds at bedtime each night instead of the morning dose. You may experience more side effects on this one occasion while you have a higher level of meds in your body than normal but they will go away in the next day or two.
Hi. I am taking the traditional tablets (Tenofovir Lamivudine, Efavirenz) at exactly 8am for the last 5 years because I was working night shift. I changed job recently and my job hours changed to day shift (7am to 4pm) and been having a hard time dealing with the side effects since then that it is evident at work (stuttering, mind going blank in addition to being nauseous). Can I change the time to 8pm instead so I can sleep off the side effects? I badly need an advice about this
Hi Nthabiseng, as long as you do not notice any different side effects you can continue to take your treatment at the same time.
What is the name of the medication you are taking? and have you had any problems with side effects from this medication in the past?
I’m working a nightshift hours usually I take my medication at 9pm so it important to mi to take my medication at night or I suppose to change the time?
Hi Bricks, yes you can take your medication in the morning. As long as you are able to take your medication at the same time each day, it does not matter at what time this is as long as you are not experiencing side effects e.g., bad nightmares, mood changes, problems sleeping. These are dependant on the type of HIV medication you are taking.
hy Calvin i take my medication morning 8 o’clock i drink 2 is it right or i must go back at night
Hi Walter, please don’t worry about this, it will not be a problem. The recommendation to take them in the morning is becasue a few people don’t sleep well if they take them at night. If this hasn’t been a problem for you, you can take them either time.
Hi Mr Robin,i realized that the tablets that I’m taking at night I’m supposed to take them in the morning (HIV tablets)
Hi Calvin, thanks, although aiming for the same time is good becasue it gives your a routine, being an hour or two early or late will be fine.
I took my ARV pills 30 mins later than usual timing. Is it okay? Or should I be worried?