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
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.
If you have another question please ask,
Josh.
Hallow , I had sex with someone positive, went to get pep immediately but 8 hours later I had sex again with my partner, I am worried he might get hiv from the pre cum inside me , ist possible for him to get it ?? Please help
Hi Thuli, not having this last dose is not going to have a significant impact on your treatment.
The most important doses for PEP to be effective is the first 21 days. Being 1 day short is not going to change how effective your course of treatment is.
For more information about PEP please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi I hope you good, I took two pills on the same day by mistake, when I took the 2nd pill I thought I forgot to take the pill on time. Now my PEP course will end at 27 days not 28 days. Will that mess up my treatment?
Hi Phillip, how far into your course of PEP are you?
For more information about PEP please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi am Philip I forgot my pep for 48 hours but I took it as soon as I reached home will it work
Hi Suzan, missing one dose of PEP is not going to have an impact on how effective the treatment is.
You can continue taking your PEP as normal (you do not need to take an additional dose) and complete the course when originally planned.
For more information about PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi I missed PEP by 27 hours and I took it as soon as I remembered before 48. I want to if it will still work if I missed my dose by 27 hours.
Hi Mthokozisi, you have not messed up. What it the PEP you are taking and what is the name of the ARV you took?
PEP and ARVs are usually the same medication. Even if they are not, they will work in similar enough ways that your course of PEP will continue to work.
As you had forgotten, what time do you normally take PEP and what time did you take the ARV?
For more information about PEP please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi , I forgot my PEP and I took ARV instead. Will it work or i have messed up.
Hi Joan, was partner B after you had started PEP?
If so PEP will have worked like PrEP and you will have been protected from any risk of exposure.
When taking PEP, the medication is similar to PrEP and can be used to prevent further transmission risks for the duration of the course.
For more information about PEP please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq