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.
hi my friend juss started using ARVs n shes planning to overdose them as suicidal pill, i am really worried. will she die
Hi Xoli,
Try not to panic, you’ll be fine. You can either take your meds as normal, or because you’re on Atrozia miss the one evening dose then continue as normal the next evening. And separate them from your vitamins.
Good day,
I took my ART (Atroiza) tablet last night at 21:00 and this morning around 07:00 when I was taking my vitamins; I accidentally took another dose of ART.
My question is that I don’t know whether to take my next dose at 21:00 or not as I don’t know how long the drug lasts in the system. Scared of overdose.
Please help.
Hi Jerome,
Because you’ve had a fever the first thing you need to do is see a doctor. This is because you could have an infection. If you do, this will need to be treated, and treated immediately.
Other than the ARVs have you been given anything else to take? Also what is TELAEFA?
Your CD4 is very low, however this is not to say that you can’t recover. You do though need to really look after yourself. For more info about low CD4’s please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa/4643
Weight loss when a CD4 is low is common. As your body starts to recover, this should get better. Do you have anyone who can help you?
Feelings of depression are common in people who are positive, more so if the diagnoses is new. Talking to someone will help. You may also find this useful:
http://i-base.info/hiv-positive/
I was diagnosed with HIV, and with a CD4 of 3. After I was diagnosed I was confined to the hospital for about 1month and half. My body dropped weight to 43kgs. I’m now taking ARV TELAEFA or 3 in 1. I’m suicidal in a sense that I feel like I’m getting worse and worse. I had a fever for more than 3 weeks continuously until now . march 29,2017 .W hat should I do? please help
Hi Vianery,
This is something that needs to be discussed with a doctor, and not HIV advocates.
ihave case,
yesterday night I got patient Female of 15 years old, non HIV patient come with complaint of only vomiting and body weakness after taken drugs of her mother ARV, in combination of (EFAVIRENCY, LAMIVUDINE and TENOFOVIR)
9x than normal dosage of her mother. PLUS CLOTRIMOXAZOLE 960mg. vital sign all are stable.
so my question is what serious effect than follow to that patients.
Hi Curs,
You should be OK. However, what meds are you on?
Well I am currently on the second line mess now,I take the pills in the morning and evening,so in the evening I take two pills,and in the morning I take three,than one evening accidentally took three pills… Does this change anything?!
Hi Thando,
A CD4 of 750 is great, so I wouldn’t worry too much, this is even if it was over 1000. This is because CD4s can fluctuate. For more info, please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa/424