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.
Hello Kagiso and thanks for getting in touch.
I am very sorry to hear you did an overdose with ARVs
Please go to an accident and emergency service where they can help you.
I am sure the doctors and nurses there can help you with whatever is going on in your life and offer you support when you are discharged.
I can tell you with 100% certainty that whatever you are feeling right now with appropriate support becomes manageable.
Please feel free to stay in touch if you feel we can help.
I took all month medication
Hi Nopumelelo, this sounds like too many pills to be an accident. Can you say why this happened? Please talk to someone about why you did this. Thsi can be a friend or a helpline or anyone at your clinic. HIV meds are really effective and can give you a long life. But taking too many is not good.
I took more than ten
Hello Patrick and thanks for getting in touch.
I am very sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell.
Please go to A&E or speak to your doctor.
There are services who can help you but first the emergency doctors need to make sure you are not suffering any side effects.
I hope you can get help and support – I am sure the doctors know and can refer you to people who can help