Question
Is it ok if I take my meds 15 or 30 mins late?
10 October 2016. Related: Adherence, All topics.
Do you have to take your arvs at exactly the same time each day? Will for example 30 mins (or even an hour) each way have any impact whatsoever on the suppression of the virus or cause resistance? I am worried as even though I take them every day some days it is 15 or 30 mins later or earlier than the previous day.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
It is sometimes difficult to take your meds at the exact same time everyday.
Even when starting, there is a window of about an hour either side of your target time when it is still fine to take them.
For example, if you want to take your meds every night at 10 pm, then any time between 9pm and 11pm will be fine.
Everyone has a few times when we forget our meds though.
The less this happens the better. But if it does happen once in a while then there is nothing to worry about. If you forget in the future, take them as soon as you remember. However, if this is already close to the next dose DO NOT take a double dose.
Once you get an undetectable viral load, especially if it has been undetectable for several years, you have more flexibility. This partly depends on which drugs you are using.
Some once daily drugs (including tenofovir DF, emtricitabine and efavirinz) have long half-lives. This means drug levels stay in your body for long enough to cover being several hours late or even missing a dose completely.
Several studies are looking at whether reduced dosing might be safe – for example by only taking ART for four days a week. We need bigger studies before we know if this is safe though.
Note: this question was updated in October 2016 from and original answer in April 2011.
Hi Denny,
Please see Q4 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hello,
I took Combivir + Efavirenz for 3 months. Today I was 4hrs late. Will I develop adherence.
Hi Hope,
If this has just happened the once, you’ll be fine.
hi.
I usually take my med at 9 pm now I cant remember if I did take my med or whar but for safety sake I did now and its 11pm and im worried coZ u can’t remember what if I took double doose ai because now im feeling dizzy.
Hi TY,
I’m not sure why your doctor has told you to take your meds at 3am. This is because its advised to take them before you go to bed, not during the middle of the night when you would be sleeping.
Since you switched the time that you take them, how has your sleep been?
When you say weight loss, how much weight have you lost? Have there been any changes in your life style?
To know if the meds are working, your CD4 will need to be checked and also your viral load. Have these been done?
How do you know if ART is not working.
Have been on efavirenz since last year June 2016. taken once daily by 10pm. it cause me alot of sleepless night and med advise i change in December 2016 to early morning 3 am .
Now, i feel am losing body wight uncontrollably but no other effect so far.
Have done test for CD4 and am expecting the result.
Hi Angel,
If you’re taking your meds as prescribed and your viral load is in creasing, this is a sign that you may have developed resistance to the Atrozia. This is something that you will need to talk to your doctor about. Please see here for more info:
http://i-base.info/guides/changing
I’m on Atrozia and my viral load is going up. It used to be undetectable. I adhere to my meds.
Hi Clen,
Its important to try and take your meds as prescribed and on time. Please see Q4 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi
I started my treatment in March when I found out about my status, and I am drinking tablets in the morning,that are (to protect me from getting TB and Arvs I take 8pm,Lately I have been forgetting to take my tablets,even the once U must take in the morning, will it affect me?
Sometimes I even forget to take my Arvs on time/ or even skip to the next day,I am afraid to take once I remember that I am passed the time,please kindly advise me.