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.
im feeling suicidal and im thinking of overdosing pills.
Hi Nosipho, you should not change the dose of your tablets without talking to your doctor. Taking too much may cause other side effects. How high is your viral load? Some tests pick up viral load at lower levels than others. Any value under 200 is still considered undetectable.
I have been on arvs for 16 years now and today I learnt that my viral load is now detectable. My question is if I increase the dose by taking 2 tablets everyday will I be causing any harm to my body?
Hi Siphesihle, please talk to your doctor about this. The amount of ARVs you have taken will mean a doctor needs to determine if there are any long term side effects. Were you sick afterwards? If so it is likely the ARVs would have been removed from your body and not able to have an effect. Why did you feel so low? I hope you are feeling better now.
I took over a month’s dose in intension to commit suicide. I would like to find out the harm I caused.
Hi Charles, you are right that there is an interaction, but it does not lead to drug resistance. The interaction can prevent Tenofovir DF being eliminated as well from the body. This means that it can potentially increase its nephrotoxic effects. Diclofenac in turn can then worsen this effect. Together leading to an acute kidney injury. Have you spoken a doctor about this?
I have been on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300mg) tablets since 2015. and my last viral load was undetected. Few days ago, I was experiencing severe headache and took 100mg diclofenac potassium before I learnt about its possible drug interaction. Please could this use of diclofenac cause drug resistance of TDF in any way.
Best regards,
Hi Bekezela, how high is your viral load? There are no supplements proven to boost your immune system. Continuing with ART is the best you can do and will reduce your viral load. If there is no change you can speak to your doctor and there may be a different ART combination you can try.
What must i do ? My viral load is too high so is there any suppliments can help to boost my immune system im so worried please help
If you were sick so quickly, it is probably best to tke the pills again. But missing one dose of meds is also okay if you are not sure.