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 Charmaine, please dont worry about this. Sometimes beeing an hour or two late will not cause any problems.
I normally take my arv pills at 20;00 but this days I take them after 8…let’s say 8-10 minus after 8 will it aftect my cd4 I do wanna change it to morning 8
Hi Dorcas, so long as you re sleeping ok, it is fine to take these meds before you sleep. The recommendation to take it in the morning is mainly to stop insommnia.
I’m taking TLD at nite is there a problem or I should take it in the morning
Hi Elisa, does the nurse know about your HIV meds.. If you are ever worried, it is good to ask your HIV doctor or pharmacist. There isn’t an interaction with these supplements though, See:
https://i-base.info/guides/8851
Nurse found that my blood was low then game me Gulf ferrous sulphate tablets and Gulf folic acid to take in the morning . Is it okay when taking Acriptega with it in the morning.
Hi Zakithi, yes you can change the time. Luvigen is a generic version of TLD which contains dolutegravir. This medication is known to cause problems sleeping.
To prevent this it is advised to take Luvigen in the morning. By the tme you go to sleep the side effects should wear off and you will have no problem getting to sleep.
It is okay to take your treatment as normal and then a dose the following the morning. There is no problem with taking one dose 12 hours apart to change the time of your medication. You can then continue as normal taking treatment in the morning.
I just started taking luvigen 2days ago at 10pm,but 10pm is not working for me as they keep me awake the whole night and I need to be fit for work. So my question is can I change the time?
Hi Thabiso, why are you taking your medication at different times? HIV medication should be taken at the same time each day. By moving the times of your treatment regularly it risks treatment not being as effective or can stop working completely.
For information about how to take treatment please see here: https://i-base.info/guides/testing
I take my medicine at 04h00 every morning for eight days then take it at 08h00 in the morning for four days then I repeat this circle over and over due to work is these wrong