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.
Been wandering if I consuming all of my TLE pills may help me end it all. If only not for my mom, I would have done it. But can it really do the job?
Hi Jabulile, I am sorry to hear that one of your relatives passed away. How do you know it was suicide by overdose?
As there are a number of ARVs they could have been on, each with different effects, this information can be found out from a pharmacist. They will be able to discuss this with you in more detail.
Hi i heard that one of my relatives overdosed on ARVs which was why he passed on. Now i would like to know what are the symptoms of of taking large amounts of ARV pills, like maybe a month’s supply or so?
I want to confirm the symptoms he haf to verify if it was infact an ARV over dose.
Thank you.
Hi Jcpenn, yes you can continue as normal. If you notice any side effects while you have a higher level of drug in your body, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.
What if I accidentally took my ARV twice 10 hours apart I took in at 10 pm as usual time and accidentally took another one in the morning 8am by mistake. Should I still take my next dose as normal at 10 pm?
Hi Chaithra, where are you having your injections? As taking this dose at day 3 and not 7, the dosing schedule has changed. This needs discussing with the prescribing nurse/doctor. You can then establish when best to continue taking the following doses.
How are you feeling after the second dose?
I started my Pre exposure prophylaxis of ARV schedule
0,7,28
But my mistake I took on day 3, I got redness n swelling at injection site my Pre auricular lymph nodes are swollen ot reduced yet.
What to do should I taken day 7 dose.???
Hi Amacio, taking a double dose of ARVs is not likely going to be a problem. Taking a double dose of ARVs over 4 hours means you will have a higher level of drug in the body for a short while. You may experience some side effects (similar to when you first started taking ARVs) but these will reduce once the level of drug in your body goes back to normal.
If you do notice side effects that you are not comfortable with, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Boa noite o que ancotece quando tamores 2 vezes o arv no espaço de 4 horas
Hi Walter, has this person been taken to see a doctor? If not it is important to do this immediately. The risk depends on what type of medication they took and the dose of the medication. A similar question has been answered here: https://i-base.info/qa/9318