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Question

What if I miss a dose or take a double dose by mistake?

Hi, if i forget to take my pill on time, or maybe take it twice a day, without remembering i took it, then maybe overdose by mistake. Can it cause any harm to my health?

Answer

Missing an occasional pill is okay

Taking a double dose of HIV medication is usually okay  – but it is not a good idea. The main risk is that you might get side effects for a few hours due to the short time when you have higher drug levels.

Additional doses of other types of medication might require speaking to a doctor or pharmacist about the short term side effects.

It is better to get a pill box. Then you can see each day whether or not you have taken your meds. These are cheap and work really well.

Josh.

Answer revised 16/02/22

162 comments

  1. Simon Collins •

    Hi Shirley, this website is about HIV drugs. Please see the original answer to this post:
    https://i-base.info/qa/14045

  2. Shirley •

    I accidently took a double dose of Metroprolo lSuccinate ER

  3. Simon Collins •

    Hi Edy, please do not worry. Most HIV meds have been used at higher doses in different studies without this causing a problem. Sometimes is is difficult to remember whether or not you just took your meds. I use a weekly pill box as this is the only way I know whether I have taken or missed a dose.

  4. Edy •

    I just accidentally took a double dose of Biktarvy and now I’m scared I’m gonna die… do I have to worry?

  5. Simon Collins •

    Hi Baroniece. this is an HIV website. Based on a quick Google search, neither of these are HIV drugs so it is better to ask a pharmacist. However, one extra pill of anything is not a problem.

  6. Baroniece •

    Hi I accidentally took 1 ACC200 and 1 Mucatak 200 at the same time.
    What do I do?

  7. Steve •

    Hello hope everyone is feeling well and staying safe. I just started a new medication called isentress yesterday.. today I think took a double dose in the morning while I was getting ready for work. What should I do.

  8. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Steve,

    You’ll be fine, just continue that you normally would.

  9. Simon Collins •

    Hi Barbara, this website is only about HIV treatment. However, so long as you only did this once it will not cause you any harm.

  10. Barbara •

    Hi I may have accidentally taken two terbibafine tablets . I didn’t think I had taken it so I took one then but I then thought maybe I had already taken it. I feel ok

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