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…Since i take arv’s meds(Efavirenz),i become thin n my kidney pains,the more i take my meds,the more i loose weight,so what should i do about that?
I even suggest to change time from 07:30-morning to 19:00 in evening…Is it ok to change time from day to night?
I only have 1 month taking my arv’s as i find out im infected last month
Hi Sethabile,
This is great news. It means the meds are working and working really well. It also means that you can’t transmit HIV through sexual intercourse. For more info, please see here:
http://i-base.info/htb/32308
hi Lisa am taking atrozia it’s been 5 months and my viral load is lower than detectable and my cd4 is 582
Hi Sethabile,
Its recommended to take Atrozia in the evening due to possible side effects. However, you can take it whenever you like. So, when it suites you.
hi am taking atrozia and i have to give my son nevarapine at the same time that is why I wanna change to take them in the morning or at 5pm so that we won’t default our meds
Hi Philly,
How much weight have you lost? What was your CD4 count when you were diagnosed? Other than the Efavirenz, what meds are you on?
With regards to time. You can take them whenever you like. However, it is recommended to take Efavirenz at night as this can help reduce side effects.
Hi Sethabile,
What meds are you taking? How long have you been on them?
hi is there any problem if i take my meds in the morning?
Hi Ntombi,
Because you’ve been on meds for such a long time, taking them either a few hours before or after won’t make any difference. The important thing is that you take them, and take them daily.
Hi lately I’m struggling to keep up the time for my meds. I’ve been on ARV’s for 6years and I’ve been taking them at 21h00. However, sometimes I take them at 8pm, or even after 9pm.