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 Austin,
Its up to you when you take your meds. If the morning works better, then take them then.
Hello I am currently taking Genvoya I started 2 months ago I normally take them before I go to bed at 10:00Ppm. But it interferes with my sleep plus I was getting chest pains. I was thinking of changing to the morning when I wake up at 7:00am to avoid sleeping problems is this OK?
Hi Collen. Even taking meds a couple or hours early or late will be fine. I wondered whether your meds include efavirenz? If yes, are you okay with side effects from changing times every few days? Efavirenz is generally not recommended for frequent shift work changes.
hi I’m a security guards and I work 3 day shift and 3 night shift I usually take my medicine at 8pm but last time I took them before the usual time it was about 6 I’m just wandering is it okay sometimes?
Hi Marry,
If the meds that you are being given are generic forms of Atripla, then you will be fine. This is because they all have the same ingredients. The only difference is the name of the drug.
Being late with your meds is also ok, as long as its not too long. Please see question 4 here for more info:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Because you’re pregnant you may also find our HIV and pregnancy guide helpful:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I am pregnant and I take my ARVs daily, even if I sometimes don’t take them at the correct time. The other thing is, at the clinic they keep on changing my meds, will this effect my baby nor me?
Hi Sandile,
Tribuss is a generic version of Atripla. This meaning that it has the same ingredients as Atripla. Its not common to get side effects when using the same drug, but one which is made by someone else. However, it can happen. How long have you been feeling itchy for? Has your doctor given you anything for it?
One thing to know is that generics are the same thing. Its just the price that changes.
Also, you mention that you stopped medication for a week. Its important that you don’t do this, even if you are having mild side effects.
Im taking purbac(antibiotic) and tribuss now but before I was taking purbac and Atripla and I had no problems. My medischeme decided to pay for trubuss not Atripla, they said it got same ingredients so it doesn’t make sense to pay more money when there’s cheaper ones. Now my whole body is itching but when I stop for a week it also stop itching. I told the doctor he said it going to stop but it been long now. I also informed my medischeme they said if I still want the old med I have to add the difference of R150.00, now I’m confused what to do because I can’t afford paying that amount extra.
Hi Raymond,
Its ok to be late sometimes with your meds, its something that is common. Please see Q4 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
With regards to how long will you live for, no one can predict this. However, because you’re on treatment your life expectancy should be the same as it was before you became HIV positive. For more about this, please see here:
https://i-base.info/qa/?s=life+expectancy
I’ve been on drugs for close to a year. I’m 20, can I live until I’m 80? Sometimes I’m late with my meds, will I be ok?