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 Pelz,
As Robin says on the question above, This is not a problem as long as you consistently take them at the new time. Jumping back and forth means you have a risk of developing resistance.
What ARVs are you taking? It’s recommended that Atripla is taken before bedtime and on an empty stomach. This is to reduce side effects. You can read more about Atripla and other names for this ARV here.
Hey I take my arvs everyday at night at 9:00 but i want to change to take them earlier than my usual time like around 6:00 or 7:00 @ night is it safe for me to do that won’t it make me sick ?
Hi Boitumelo,
It’s great that you started treatment soon after diagnosis. Starting HIV treatment (ART) sooner rather than later is now recommended widely.
Many people have mild side effects in the first week or two of treatment. So if your side effects are mild you could wait a few more days to see if they get better.
I am diagnosed with HIV on the 11 this month,started treatment on 28th,my worry is my Partner don’t wanna test,is maybe he knows that he is Positive, or he think he is Negative?
Am taking my ARVS at 21h00 and I experience side effects,is it possible to change the time to 20h00? Or myb is because I just started the treatment?
Hi Tanya,
The simple thing is, if you want to control your HIV then you need to be on ARVs. Its ARVs that control a person’s HIV.
Stopping and starting isn’t something that is advised. When people do this it increases their chances of developing resistance to medication.
Of course only you can decide if you want to be on medication or not.
Good Day
In have been taking my ARVs only if I feel week
* 2008 I realised that m affected but never take medication while cd4 was 129only
* 2014 I gave birth to child and child is negative
* 2016 my Cd4 was 49 then I started medication
* I used medication for 6 months then I leave it once I get better because I was having a TB.
2017 I used it for 3months again because I was feeling weak with flue and leave it
After I feel better I left it. Even today I feel OK no sickness .
I exercise and eat healthy food then my CD4 is now 300.
Now m thinking of using ARVs again because I need to gain wait.
Is Healthy Food, Exercise also boost immune stayem? I noticed in me.
Hi Jeffrey,
Taking HIV meds at abou the same time each day can be difficult for many people. But you find out ways to help you do it in this guide to Adherence tips .
Hi there I am facing a very serious problem when it comes to taking my meds,as such I sometimes take my meds at a different time….am I safe or causing more trouble to myself
Hi Mbuso,
As you may know its recommended that Trivenz is taken daily and before someone goes to bed. This is because it will help reduce to risk of side effects. If you’ve not had any side effects,then you could try and take it at your usual time every day regardless of your work pattern.
If you’ve had side effects then if its possible ask your doctor to give you a medication that doesn’t contain efavirenz.
Hi my name is Mbuso i work shifts two days morning and days night how can i take trivenz and be effect on me