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 Mariam, being late by an hour on occasion is not going to cause a problem. Though if this does become more regular it may be worth moving your regular time for ARVs to this later time.
Is there a reason you are being late with your medication? Being late is not going to cause your hands to be itchy. If this is something new you are experiencing you should speak with your doctor.
For the past few weeks have been taking my ARVs 2hrs or 1hr late and sometimes the actual time.. My hands hands have been itchy.. What can be the problem..
Hi Precious, you are right that TLD can be taken at any point in the day. Taking it the morning is actually better as in some people have trouble sleeping if they take TLD too late.
Do you know what your last viral load test was? Without knowing what your previous viral load was it is difficult to comment on any change. A viral load of 495 is still considered suppressed and that your medication is working.
Hi I went to the Clinic for my blood result is came out as my viral load is 495, they introduced me on TLD last year July then i changed the time becuase i read that TLD you can take it anytime unlike the old tablet, so I changed from 9pm to 8am in the morning, now I’m worried maybe didn’t go well that’s is why my Viral load is too high? Please help me
Hi Dorothy, do you mean that you have been giving your baby Zidovudine anytime between 06:30 and 22:00?
Am giving my baby the zidovudine from6:30am in the morning at night 10pm is ok tbe wont problem
Hi Bheki, thanks – it is good that you are on treatment and it doesn’t matter if you and your partners are using different meds. Good luck with your plans. I also sent you an email :)
Hi can I be on dolutegravir HIV drugs as a male and still get my woman pregnant if she is taking the ones without dolutegravir?.
Please also send me the answer on my email in case I miss this section.
Hi Maphuthi, you are on a good combinations (dolutegravir/teneofovir DF/lamivudine). If your viral load was detectable before, and you are taking your meds, this is likely just a blip. This means it might just be a lab error.
Hi I’m on REYDIN my cd4 count is above 1000 and my viral load is 114 I’m not sexually active what could be the cause.