Question
What are the risks of taking an over-dose of ARVs?
4 January 2011. Related: Adherence, All topics, Drug interactions, Side effects, Support.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Taking one or two extra doses of ARVs it not likely to be a problem. But is could increase side-effects from the drugs for a couple of days.
To give you a more accurate answer please let me know how much of an overdose you are talking about. For example, is it just forgetting someone had already taken the drugs and taking them again once? Or are you talking about someone say taking a whole months supply at once?
Taking a double dose by accident on rare occasions shouldn’t cause serious harm, however, a deliberate overdose of a lot of ARVs could increase the toxicities to such an extent that it damages the body’s vital organs.
Hi Tour, how many ARVs have you taken?
If you take a double dose it is unlikely to cause a problem. You may experience more side effects than normal but these will disappear in the next day or two. If they don’t please speak with your pharmacist and explain you had taken an additional ARV.
If you are thinking/have taken multiple ARVs at once please go to the emergency room as soon as you can and seek medical assistance. It will be importnat to inform them how many ARVs you have taken and over what time period.
What will happen if I take more than arv instead of 1
Hi David, what is the dose of the Biktarvy you have been taking? and for how long have you been taking double doses?
Is there a reason that you have been doubling your medication?
What happens if a person double does every day what would be the side affects biktarvy
Hi Daniel, have you taken 15 ARVs? and was this all at once?
Please go to the emergency room/doctors. Taking this many tablets at once will need you to be reviewed by a doctor and suitably managed. Given how many tablets you have taken there is risk of damage to your organs which need to be treated.
Taking over 15 tablets of ARVs may cause what??
Hi Refiloe, it sounds like you have done everything right for your friend. Whatever the meds were, taking 8 pills might be unpleasant, but is unlikely to cause serious problems.
The ambulance and hospital will take care of your friend butit will help if you can tell them the name of the meds, if you have this.