Question
Can i take my treatment in the morning?
9 March 2016. Related: Adherence, All topics, Changing treatment.
Is it ok for me to take my treatment in the morning, instead of in the evening?
Answer
Hi,
This depends on what medication you are on. If you are taking efavirenz, or a pill containing this, it is not usually recommended. This is because of the kind of side effects efavirenz causes. Taking it at night means you are sleeping and avoiding some of the side effects.
If you are on a combination that oddest contain efavirenz it should be ok to take int the morning. The important thing is that you continue to take your medication at the same time every day. You should not switch back and forth between the new time and the old time. Good adherence is important to make sure your meds work.
You can find more information about adherence in our online treatment guide.
And more information about efavirenz in our medication guide.
Hi. I am taking Rizene for my HIV treatment and I have been on treatment since I was diagnosed in 2004.
In January 2023 I went for my blood tests and I got my results this week. My viral load is significantly high sitting at 44000 and CD4 count at 190. I’m shocked and nervous at the same time. I used to take my medication at night until late last year when I changed to the mornings.
Can this be a reason for these changes ?
Hi Nthabi, thanks – it is fine to take TLD anytime in the morning. The time will not affect how well it works. I am sorry that I need more details about your HIV history to comment on your viral load.
This includes knowing your HIV history – ie roughly the date you were diagnosed and the history of your CD4 and viral load results and treatments.
In general, viral load should become undetectable or very low within 3 or maybe 6 months of starting TLD. If it stays high for longer than this, you might need a different treatment, unless there is a reason for it.
Please include the numbers for what your CD4 and viral load is now.
If your viral load is still higher than 1000, then your doctor needs to take this seriously. If you have been good with taking tyour meds, you are likely to need to change to a different treatment. This is both for you and your baby.
It is also okay to email me:
questions@i-base.org.uk
What has your doctor said about this?
Hi
It is ohk to take TLD early in the morning at about 05h30am.
I was taking my med in the morning before food and it’s now a year taking it in the morning. What is surprising me is that my blood results came out says my cd4 count is low and viral load is high and I’m pregnant.
I really don’t understand if is the time I’m taking it…I should change at night or what.
I’m now confused because I found that my viral load is high.
Hi Ncebakaziluwandle, what treatment are you taking? As long as the time you take your medication works for you and you are not experiencing side effects, taking your treatment in the day should not be a problem.
I want to drink my pill during the day
Hi Khomotso, have you had a conversation with your partner about why they were given Luvigen? Luvigen is a generic version of TLD. It is a combination of medication that can be used to treat and prevent HIV after exposure, or be used to treat and suppress HIV. More information about TLD can be found here: https://i-base.info/guides/14970
My partner was given Luvigen D17/H when she was pregnant…I’m scared because we were negative before pregnancy..is she Hiv positive or what?
Hi Renjinos, what ARVs do you have? Different types will have different recommendations of time.
Which time is recommended to take ARV
Tablets
Hi Philip, you can take Trivenz in the morning but it is usually recommended for the evening. Trivenz is a generic form of Atripla. This means that it contains efavirenz.
Efavirenz has been linked to a number of aside effects that impact on mood. For this reason it is recommended to be taken at night so people sleep through the mood disturbances that it may cause. It is safe to take Trivenz in the morning but you should be aware that it may have an impact on your mood and you should watch out for this.