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 Sbonga.
ARVs should be taken at a time that works for you, so yes you can change.
Hi can i change my medication from 21:15 to 20:15
Hi Stimber,
No, there won’t be a problem, it’s OK to change the time.
Is there any problem when am changing taking ARVz from 20:30 to before that by any hour or after that?
Hi Zukiswa,
The simple answer is yes. But please tell us how your HIV treatment is going.
What meds are you taking? And if you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results, please let us know what they are.
Im taking my pill at 21:00 night so can i change my time to19:00?
Hi Naledi,
It is easy to switch from evening to morning. Take your last evening dose at the usual time, and then take another dose the next morning at the time you want to take them. Then carry on taking them at the new time every morning.
Your drug levels will be slightly higher for the first few hours of dose the next day.
But you can check with your doctor and let them know you’re planning to do this.
Hi, I’m on TLD (Reydin) for almost a year now. I want to change times I take my pill from evening to morning. Should I take it in the evening and then take the following morning? Please advise.
Hi Roi,
ARVs should be taken at a time that works for you. This noted, due to the efavirenz in your combination, it’s recommended that you take these at night. Please see here: https://i-base.info/guides/1561
Hi can I change my time schedule of drinking my ARVs from 2pm to 10pm my arv compost with EFAVIRENZ,LAMIVUDINE & TENOFOVIR. Or can I change it Everytime of the day ?