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 Patience,
Please see this similar Q&A here.
So as the Q&A says, Once you decide upon the right time for you to take your medication then the closer to this time you take your medication the better. There is a window of about an hour either side of this time for you to take your HIV medication.
And please see this link for adherence.
Patience hi am on treatment bt my taking it same time everyday,sometime I take it 20h00 then the following day 21h00 is it right
Hi Peter,
ARVs should be taken at a time that works for you and your lifestyle. If very early in the morning works for you, then yes. If they need to be taken with food you’ll still need to do this.
Hi can I change my drugs taking from 11:00pm to 3:52am
Hi Anonymous.
What medication are you taking? Its is a twice daily medication they you should take them every 12 hrs.
Hi please advise me when is the right time to take medication, coz I was taking it @1pm and 8pm, I didn’t know that could make my viral load to be high… So now am thinking of making it 7am and 7pm would that be oke
Hi Loide,
ARVs should be taken at at time that works well for you. So yes, you can change the time of day that you take your meds.
I change the time of drinking my ARV is this health?
Hi Johannes,
Almost everyone will forget very occasionally. So forgetting this time is fine.
But if you forget you should take it as soon as you remember. So you can take it at 1 am.
But, if you only realise when you’re going to take your next dose, do not take a double dose.
Here’s a Q&A about what do do if you miss a dose. Please follow links in this answer for more info.
Hi wat will happen if I forget to take my trivenz. I used to take it at 8pm so last night was so tired felt asleep early and I only woke up around 1am nd take my meds is it risky?