Question

I missed a dose of PEP.

2 January 2022. Related: Adherence, All topics, PEP/PEPSE.

Hi. I am taking PEP and I forgot to take my pill at the exact time I always take it. I remembered in 8 hrs and took the pill. Can I continue to take my pill the exact time I always take it? And does this reduce my chances of not getting HIV? Please help.

Answer

Answer: Josh Peasegood

Hi, how are you doing?

Yes you can continue to take PEP at the usual time you do.

Although it is better to not miss any meds, if you do forget once or twice, this is unlikely to make much difference. Especially if these are doses towards the end of the month.

While it is not advised, missing a dose by a few hours is unlikely to cause a problem. PEP remains in the body for more than 24 hours. As you remembered tot take PEP, the levels within your body would have stayed at a biologically significant level.

Please see this link for more information about PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

If you have another question please ask,

Josh.

93 comments

  1. Tete •

    Hi Chris, I started taking PEP yesterday by 11:30am. I missed my dose at 11:30am today but remembered to take it around 1:00pm today. Is the PEP still effective in my body and what are the risks?

  2. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Kelvin, being 3 minutes late will have no effect on your treatment. As long as you are taking your treatment within the same hour each day PEP will still work.

  3. Kelvin •

    Am on day three of PEP but I was suppose to take a dose at 07:58AM but took my third dose at 08:01AM will it be a problem?

  4. Tim •

    This information was very helpful, thank you.

  5. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Ken, how far along in your course of PEP are you?

  6. Ken •

    I missed it for 2 days , I changed the pattern i used to take it in the night , then started taking it in the morning.. hope there is no problems?

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Themi, not this does not mean you will get HIV. How far along in your course of PEP were you? and do you know how risky your exposure to HIV was?

  8. Thembi •

    hey, i missed 2 days of pep. does that mean ill definately get hiv? I totally forgot to take it

  9. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Chris, being late/missing a single dose of PEP is not likely to cause any problems. It will still be effective at preventing HIV. You can continue taking PEP at 9:00PM.

  10. Chris •

    My usual time of taking PEP is 9:00PM. I missed a dose yesterday, and remembered in 8 hours (that is by 5;00AM today), then I took it. What is/are the consequence(s)? And, can I still take the PEP by 9:00PM today.