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 Almar, yes it is safe to switch the time you take your medication. What is the name of the treatment you are taking? Some are better taken in the morning to avoid side effects. Though this doesn’t mean that it isn’t safe for you to switch the time of your treatment. It is more importnat that you take your treatment at a time that suits you best.
Hi it’s been three months si ce I started to take arv ‘s I take them 9am everyday is it safe to change to the evening to 8pm.
Hi Mantoa, I am sorry to hear about this experience you have with the nurses. Unfortautnely I don’t have any advise that would help stop the nurses shouting at you. I can only support you and that the nurses shouldn’t be doing this. Getting your treatment is important and you are taking care of your health. You shouldn’t feel that being shouted at will stop you getting your medication.
Hi I missed my appointment date to collect arvs and I’m afraid to go back because nurses can shout at me I still have few un opened pack at home which I’m still using so how can I get back without being shouted at?
Hi Vee, if you are HIV negative, then your husband needs to have an undetectable viral load for the meds to also protect you from HIV. The CD4 count doesn’t tell you this. So long as viral laod is undetectable, it is okay for the meds to be taken an hour or two early or late.
Hi it’s Vee again,My husband drink his Arvs different times anytime after 8or9or10 he never use to take his treatment on time,what will happen it’s his cd4 count will go up,I am safe wen I sleep with him,I won’t be affected..?
Hi Precious, Reydin can be used to prevent HIV as PEP or it can be used to treat HIV.
Hey is Reydin pills can be used for preventing hiv ,or is it arvs
Hi Pretty, occasionally being late is not going to risk how well your treatment works. How often are you over sleeping? If it is regular, would it be better to move the time of your treatment to 09:00 am and 21:00 pm? Or have an alarm set for 08:00 am separate from waking up and just as a reminder for your treatment?
Hellos there. I take my meds at 08:00 am and 20:00pm but sometimes I over sleep and take them at 09:00am. Can that cause a problem?