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 Daniel,
There’s no need to panic, you’ll be fine. For more info please see Q 4 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi Admin, good day! I am an HIV positive and intaking LTE for almost 6 months already and taking it at 10:00 PM. I was so tired yesterday, and i fell asleep and i woke up at around 03:00 AM and immeadiately took LTE, im just worried, for almost 5 hours had passed, is there a chance of developing drug resistance? Please advise. Im just scared a bit.
Thank you so much.
Hi Kegomoditswe,
If you want to take them at 8pm, then you can. The main thing is that you take them.
I have been taking Arvs for 2 days at 05:00am , is it ok if I change it to 08:00pm?
Hi S Godide,
Even if you’re on treatment, unless your viral load is undetectable there is a risk that you will transmit HIV to someone if you don’t use a condom. Therefore, if your viral load wasn’t undetectable, then your partner should test.
You being on meds won’t act as a form of contraception. Therefore, if you think there’s a possibility that you may be pregnant, you will need to do a pregnancy test.
I just found out that I’m Hiv positive and on treatment. I’ve recently had unprotected sex with my partner for the first time after finding out that I’m positive. Now I’m scared that he could be infected as well and that I could fall pregnant. Is it possible? Please help.
thanks.
Hi Thabo,
Taking meds a few hours before or after won’t cause you any problems. Neither will missing a dose every now and then. However, given that you’re new to treatment its important that you try to adhere to your meds. For more info please see Q4 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I doubt the weight loss will have anything to do with how you take your meds. Therefore, it may be due to you exercising. How much weight have you lost?
Hi
I have been taking Atanef for 4 months but this past month I haven’t been consistent with time,I take them 3hours late and sometimes an Hour earlier And once or twice have missed a dosage… I’m really scared that I will default. What are the early symptoms and signs of defaulting on ARV’s? Because I have a slight weight loss but I’m not sure if it’s caused by me defaulting or exercising.
Hi Louie,
I’m going to answer your questions one at a time.
1) Taking your meds a few hours either way is ok. What’s important is that you take them.
2) If you’re taking meds that contain efavirenz, then it’s recommended to take them at night. This is because taking them at night can help with possible side effects. However, if you feel like it would be easier to take them in the morning then you can. The best thing to do is take them at night as normal, then again in the morning.
3) Its ok to drink and take ARVs. There won’t be any interaction. Just make sure that your drinking doesn’t interfere with taking your meds.
4) For testing info please see Q1 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
5) Being HIV positive shouldn’t be a barrier to being in a relationship, or having kids. If your viral load is undetectable then the risk of transmission is close to zero. Please see the results of the PARTNER study for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
6) With regards to your weight loss, how much have you lost? And over what period of time? Also, what was/is your CD4 count?
If you need anything else, please contact us.
Hi, Im taking ARV for 1 month and 10 days already I think. My schedule of taking meds is at 9:30 in the evening. Sometimes I take my meds at 10:30 or not consistently taking at 9:30 pm but will not take an hour past due. Will that be ok?
2) I’m working at night, so the side effect , affects me at work. May I change my time on taking Arvs in the morning instead ? Probably at 9-9:30 in the morning instead? And how?
3) I am not smoker nor drinker. But will that be ok if sometime I hang out with my friends to drink beer or hard? What is your advise to that? Like I should not drink if I just took arv an hour ago.
4) in rapid testing, is that true that the result may negative after 6months of taking arv?
5) I wanted to have a baby (I’m a boy) but I dont want to infect other person specially My future baby. Can I still infect other person even if my viral load is already undetectable?
I am diagnosed to have an HIV las January 23 I think. And now I lost my weight rapidly. How can I gain back? Even my mom noticed that (but she doesn’t know Im living with HIV)
Thank you Hope you answer all my questions Life,
For the others living with HIV don’t lose hope there will be cure soon for us.
Have faith. God is with us.