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.
So normally i take my Tenofovir at 10a.m but today i accidentally took it again at 9pm because i thought i forgot but i already did ( so twice a day ), am i gonna be fine? And tomorrow should i take at 10a.m as usual or change to 9p.m? Thanks.
Hi Sim,
If you realise you have missed a dose, you can take it as soon as you remember.
BUT, if you only realise when you’re going to take your next dose, do not take a double dose.
Please see this link for tips on taking your meds on time. I hope that this is useful.
I can’t recall whether i took my tenofovir DF already or not last morning, so can i take another one right now ( 9:30pm ) ? And tomorrow, can i still take my medicine as regularly again ( in the morning ) ?
Hi Zz,
It’s a good idea to see the doctor about taking both Tenofovir DF and emtricitabine.
However, please see the section on ‘before you start’ in this guide to PrEP.
It says, You can still use PrEP if you have hepatitis B, but it needs to be used more carefully. People with hepatitis B need to take PrEP every day, with medical advice, especially if you want to stop.
Actually, my Tenofovir DF is for hepatitis B treatment. But as i use it regularly, i think it also has some effect to prevent HIV as i researched. Thats why there is no Emtricitabine in it. And my question is, Today i’m not sure whether i have already taken my pill or not, so should i just take another one? Or just let it be until tomorrow? Thanks in advance.
Hi John,
Please see answer below about PrEP.
However, receiving oral sex (having someone’s mouth on your genital organs) is likely to be zero or near zero risk. Saliva is not linked to HIV transmissions.
Hi, i have been taking Tenofovir DF since last two weeks because a sex worker gave me a blowjob without condom. Normally i take the medicine in the morning, but today im not sure whether last morning i have taken it or not and now it’s night time, should i take another one or just skip? Please help
Hi Zz,
PrEP is a tablet with 2 drugs in it. Tenofovir DF and emtricitabine (FTC). So if you’re taking PrEP, not just tenofovir DF, please see this link.
If you miss one PrEP pill, or even two pills occasionally, this will be fine on a daily regimen.
Don’t stop PrEP, just carry on once you remember.
Drug levels will still be high enough to protect against HIV. If you are missing several doses each week, please talk to the clinic about support.
I’m taking Tenofovir DF as PrEP everyday since last two weeks. But i have once taken twice a day, and today i’m not sure whether i have taken it or not. Should i take it for today? Please help.
Hi AJ,
You’re going to be perfectly fine. This is because it’s ok to take your meds a few hours either side of your normal time.