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.
Well someone took 8 pills and I don’t know if she will die I called an ambulance but it still hasn’t came it’s been 3 hours
Hi Mpho, thanks, but without more information I am not sure what you are asking. How can I help?
I tooked 5 pills
Hi Mary, please talk to someone about this. There is no benefit from taking any pills in this way.
Hei I took HIV overdose because I was hurt by my husband,then I decided to take four doses at once
Hi David – I am sorry that you are having a difficult time. Pain from love can be terrible, but in time people find the person causing the pain was not worth it and that life gets much better. Anyone taking extra HIV drugs is not likely to die but this can still cause serious problems.
Please contact a hospital or clinic or pharmacy so they can help – even if you only read this a day or so later.
If you feel like this again please talk to a friend or call a support service like the Samaritans.
Hy everyone I’m overdose due to pain of been hurted by someone you love the most I took a lot of pills I can’t remember how many more then 30
Hi Noma, I am sorry to hear that you are feeling this way. Have you been able to talk to anyone?
Why do you feel like your family hate you?
Although we can email privately, i-base can only provide limited help. Is there someone else you can talk to e.g., friends, support groups or your doctor?
Depression is very common and feeling suicidal can be helped. Other treatments or talking therapies can help you through this and if you ever feel in crisis please go straight to the closest emergency department.
You can also contact helplines. Where are you based? The helplines in South Africa can be found here: http://www.suicide.org/hotlines/international/south-africa-suicide-hotlines.html
I feel like committing suicide. Because I’m hated by my family
Hi Goodman, to clarify you took a second tablet a minute after taking the first? and was this HIV treatment?
If this was an HIV medication, this is not likely going to be a problem. You may experience more side effects than normal but this should go away in the next day as the medication returns to normal levels in your body.
If any side effects persist/get worse and/or you had a different medication please speak with your pharmacist.