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 Nompumelelo, Atripla is recommended to be taken in the evening. This is so that you are asleep when there are side effects so you do not notice them. It is also best to avoid high fat meals at the time you take Atripla. High fat increases the amount of Atripla absorbed by the body and makes the side effects worse.
Atripla is best taken in the evening without a high fat meal.
Hy
I’m on Atripla. Is it advisable for me to take it during the course of the day since I don’t experience any side effects at all?
Hi Anelisa, are you only using efavirenz? ART requires a combination. Often efavirenz is used in combination with emtrictiabine and tenofivir. This makes a combination called Atripla (or another name depending on the manufactuer).
Do you know what your current CD4 count is? Is your doctor currently managing the symptoms you have mentioned?
My GP complained that at the clinic I only got Efavirenz 600g and no other pill he is concerned about my cd4 count as I went there with a runny tummy and vomiting and also urine infection. My local clinic is for ever short of medication. What do I do
Hi William, what ARVs do you take? Different combinations are either required to be taken with food or an empty stomach. Some have no requirement but without knowing what you are taking I cannot say.
Hi
Can i take arv before i eat?
Hi Ntombi, your question has been answered here: https://i-base.info/qa/19012
Good day. Please help here. My medication is Novatrim, olegra & acriptega. So I was taking them all same time at 9 pm. But my doctor told me I must change now Novatrim, olegra I must take them in the morning then acriptega in the evening. Please help am confused
Hi Zodwa, Reydin is recommended to be taken in the morning to avoid problems sleeping. However if you would prefer to take Reydin in the evening this is safe to do so. Reydin does not need to be taken with food. It may be better to continue taking Reydin in the morning but not having food alongside. This will help to avoid the potential sleep side effects if you take it later in the day.
Hi
I am on TLD REYDIN FOR FOUR MONTHS NOW
IN THE MORNING. CAN I SWITCH FROM MORNING TO NIGHT? I SOMETIMES WANT TO FAST BUT BECAUSE OF THE MEDICATION I HAVE TO EAT IN THE MORNING.