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 Kuzy,
Taking a double dose of Atrozia won’t be the reason why you’re feeling like this. You should speak to a health care professional if you’re feeling unwell.
Is there any reason why you missed meds for 3 days?
Hi Flora,
Nevirapine comes in 200mg and 400mg tablets. If you take it twice a day it should be the 200mg tablet so the total dose is 400mg in one day. It’s important you call the nurses and ask why they have stopped 3TC and given you a double dose of nevirapine.
Hi my name is flora, i just discovered the nurses switched me from tdf, nevarapine and 3tc, to azt, nevarapine and 3tc.then today as i realised because im experiencing lypodistrophy i reported it, but now nurse gave me nevarapine she said 2 in the morning and 2 at night with tdf, is nev not too much for my system since it will be 800mg?please help
Hi Doopsie,
You’ll be fine if you miss a dose, it won’t cause you to get ill. Just make sure you take it as soon as you can.
It may help to know that if you’re on meds and undetectable you can’t transmit HIV through sexual intercourse. This is just in case one day you want to think about having a family.
Is there any reason why your boyfriend hates people with HIV?
I normally carry my capsules in my handbag wherever i go but today i forgot that handbag at work with my ARV’s inside. I dont have any extra somewhere in the house coz my boyfriend hates HIV+ people therefore i decided to keep it a secret. We strictly use condoms anyway because im not on contraception therefore im always safe. Problem is,am i going to get ill since i will only manage to take them tomorrow at around 08:00? I notmally take them at 19:00
Hi Jabu,
Please go and see a doctor as soon as you can. Once they have checked you over and made sure that you’re OK, as well as your baby you may want to talk to someone about what you did. Is it the HIV that’s getting you down?
I took 15 arv pill Coz I wanted to die and Iam pregnant what must I do
Dear Sibongile, I’m sorry you were angry. But it’s important that you contact a doctor or clinic straight away. Do you have someone to support you? You can ask at the clinic for support to help you through this difficult time.
I was angry and I drink almost 15 ARVs because I wanted do die…at that time.
Hi Rori,
You’ll be fine. Just try not to do it again.