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.
I took 20 at the same time
Hi Thabo, please take this person to the emergency room. They need to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
Can I ask why this person decided to melt down two bottles of ARVs and drink them?
What about someone who had taken 2 bottles of ARV’S sometime but melting them first and than drink it
Hi Christine, why did this person take 5 ARVs at once?
It would be unlikely that this would cause someone to become unconscious. Though it would still be important that you speak to a doctor/pharmacist as soon as you can. ARVs should only be taken once daily, taking 5 can cause other problems/side effects and this will need to be treated.
Can taking 5ARVs at once cause unconsciousness.
HI Madeline, why do you sometimes take 3? Taking more than the one prescribed is not going to improve how well the treatment works.
If anything, taking more than one can lead to more side effects and possibly long term problems. How often are you taking 3 at a time?
I sometimes take 3 TLD tabs once daily instead instead of 1 TLD tab once daily as per prescription. Can that affect me in any way?
Hi Agatha, please take them to the emergency department. They will require medical assistance as soon as you can.
If she is on arvs and she has taken like 15 arvs what would happen?must I rush her to the clinic
Hi Tshegofatso, please take your friend to the hospital. Taking so many pills means they should be seen by a doctor.