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 Gladys, please don’t worry about this. A double dose will not do any harm if this just happened once. Lots of people have done this my accident once or twice but using a pill box can help.
What if you take two tablets of actriptega instead of one tablet at the same night accidentally?
Hi Virginia, please contact the clinic or the local hospital to explain this. Taking a month of meds is much to much and the clinic needs to check his kidneys and liver function. Do you know why your son did this. Trying to understand why will be important so this doesn’t happen again. You didn’t say how old your son is and whether this was an accident or deliberate. Pls seek help.
My Son took a whole month’s worth
Hi Zonke, thanks – please don’t worry about this. Taking and extra dose of HIV meds will not do any harm. You can either take your HIV meds again tonight at the usualy time, or wait until tomorrow. The extra dose will easily cover you for today.
Good day..
I’ve just took an arv instead of my high blood pills..
Will that be a problem and can i take another arv tonight at 8pm ?
Thank you
Hello Harold and thank you for getting in touch.
I wanted to check how you are feeling.
Have you talked about this to anyone?
Please contact your clinic or the A&E if you are not feeling well
They will be able to help you and mobilise other support for you too.
Please believe me that with appropriate support, things will seem much better in a few days
Overdose More than ten arv tablets
Hi Pumla, your HIV meds are very safe and effective for both you and for your baby. It is good to continue taking them. Please ask your clinics if you are worried. I am not sure if you meant you accidentally took two doses or if this is your normal combination. Even if you took an extra pill by accident, this would still all be okay :)