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 Zacharay,
It’s OK to take your meds as normal, this won’t be an issue. It’s also OK that you took them as soon as you woke up. You won’t develop resistance like this.
I’m on efavirenz and tenof em.. been takin my medication regularly without a miss.. however last night I miss my dosage (which suppose to take at 11pm) and I realise this morning at 7:30am and I took the medication immediately.. is it okay to do so ? And take my next dosage at 11pm the usual time ? Will this develop resistance or effect me in anyway ?
Hi Michael,
No it’s not going to be a problem as it’s the first time.
Almost everyone will be late or miss a dose occasionally. However this becomes a concern if it is happening regularly.
Hey…..I have missed a dose for one day. …is it gonna be a problem to my health….it is my first time.missing a dose…
Hi Vijay,
It’s great to hear that you want to restart medication. Ideally what you should do is book an appointment to see your docotr. Depending on where it is that you live globally, your doctor should check your CD4 count as well as your viral load. They should also discuss treatment options with you. Theses may be different to what it is that you were taking before.
I have missed the medicine of ART for almost four months Can I recontinue ?
Hi Mary,
Missed meds for 3 days isn’t ideal, however it’s unlikely that your viral load will be effected. You may however wish to talk to your doctor about this.
I missed 3 days of complera not intentionally ive been undetectable for years what’s going to happen
Hi Ifeoma,
No, missing one dose won’t have an effect on you. You’ll be OK.
If I miss my medication for a night will it have effect on me?.