Question
I missed my meds for 4 days, will I be OK?
7 May 2019. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I’m traveling for work and forgot my meds…Meaning I will miss 4 doses of Biktarvy
My viral load has been undetectable for nearly 10 years now and I am otherwise in very good health… so how dangerous is missing 4 doses?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Meds needs to be taken every day to make sure that there are always good drug levels in your body, Getting the timing right means you still have good levels when you come to taje the next dose. This is for week day and weekends, every day in the year.
Luckily though, as drugs have become better, they also provide cover if you are sometimes late.
Though missing four days is not good, you should be okay. This is because after ten years, levels of HIV will be very very low. If you do this often though, you might develop drug resistance.
Your partners will also be okay from this time. It usually takes a couple of weeks for a viral load to rebound. As soon as you get home, make sure that you take your meds. If possible you may want to have your viral load checked.
Hello Denise and thanks for getting in touch.
Missing 4 days of the medication will not affect your friend’s health.
If this happens often though they might develop resistance.
It is important for them to take medication daily, at a time that is convenient to them.
Some people, however, have significant side effects or don’t have a healthcare environment they can trust to discuss their concerns.
This makes it difficult to take medication on a daily basis.
If this is the case, they should discuss this with their doctor as the doctor might be able to help.
Here are some tips to help taking the medication daily:
https://i-base.info/guides/starting/adherence-tips
My friend missed his medicine for 4 days. He started ARVs about a year ago
Hello Cynthia and thanks for getting in touch.
Please don’t worry.
Missing your tablets once for 2-3 days will not make you detectable or affect your health.
If you feel this happens often though you might want to find some better way to remember your tablets.
Here are some tips to help you:
https://i-base.info/guides/starting/adherence-tips
Hi I’m on medication for 16 years and I’m undetectable. I’m on one tablet a day (the 3 in one). I think I missed a few days can I become detectable? thank you
Hello Cynthia and thanks for getting in touch.
Please don’t worry.
Missing your tablets once for 2-3 days will not make you detectable or affect your health.
If you feel this happens often though you might want to find some better way to remember your tablets.
Here are some tips to help you:
https://i-base.info/guides/starting/adherence-tips
Hi I’m undetectable. I’m not sure if I missed meds. I’m on 1 tablet a day (the 3 in one).
I think I missed 2 or 3 days. Will that make me detectable again?
thank you
Hello Grace and thanks for getting in touch.
It depends on what medication you are on and whether they have food restrictions or interactions with other medication you might be on.
As a general rule it’s best to take your medication at a time that is convenient to you.
Please see here for more information on the medication you take:
https://i-base.info/guides/category/arvs
Can I take my meds at any time of the day?
Hello Patience and thanks for getting in touch.
Unfortunately i-base doesn’t offer help to people who want to migrate.
The below site has some information about the conditions for migration in every country, if there are any.
https://www.positivedestinations.info
We would like to wish every luck in your future endeavours
Please is there any chance I get help to work abroad as an undetectable hip patient