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.
Hello. I accidentally took a Montina L for allergy and cold. I forgot and took it again. What should I do?
Can you please respond as quick as possible.
Hi Rori, thanks. You didn’t say the name of your meds, but it is good that you do back to the recommended normal dose again now.
Please talk to your doctor about this so they can check you are okay.
Some meds can be taken at a higher dose without any problems but others might increase stress on your liver or kidneys. The doctor will want to check that the lower back pain is not from pain in your kidneys. This could be a problem from taking all these extra doses of tenofovir.
Was the extra dosing an accident?
I have been taking two doses a day for about 3 weeks, I noticed a weight gain and enlarged breast, dizziness and some allergic reactions. I’m bit worried because I experience lower back pain.
Hello Bonn, how are you feeling?
I am just checking in to make sure you are still ok
Please contact us at questions@i-base.org.uk if you would like to discuss this further
Is it deadly if i took 3 months of supply at once??
Hi Nana, please talk to your doctor about whatever reasons you had to do this.
I took 7 ARV pills on purpose and I’ve not seen my period for two weeks
Its it in proper to continue having naked sex with my wife when she is not affacted and am positive?
Hi Mukhwana, does your wife know about your HIV status? If you are HIV positive and on treatment with an undetectable viral load, then the meds also protect your wife, If your viral load is detectable though, you can still have sex but you need to use a condom. Otherwise your wife is at risk to become HIV positive..
Hi Victor, have you noticed any side effects?
PEP is a short course of treatment. Even with a double dose each day, it is unlikely to have any long term impact on your health.
After stopping treatment, any side effect occurring should have disappeared. How are you feeling now?
PEP will have still been effective. For more information about PEP please see here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq