Question
Is it ok if I take my meds 15 or 30 mins late?
10 October 2016. Related: Adherence, All topics.
Do you have to take your arvs at exactly the same time each day? Will for example 30 mins (or even an hour) each way have any impact whatsoever on the suppression of the virus or cause resistance? I am worried as even though I take them every day some days it is 15 or 30 mins later or earlier than the previous day.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
It is sometimes difficult to take your meds at the exact same time everyday.
Even when starting, there is a window of about an hour either side of your target time when it is still fine to take them.
For example, if you want to take your meds every night at 10 pm, then any time between 9pm and 11pm will be fine.
Everyone has a few times when we forget our meds though.
The less this happens the better. But if it does happen once in a while then there is nothing to worry about. If you forget in the future, take them as soon as you remember. However, if this is already close to the next dose DO NOT take a double dose.
Once you get an undetectable viral load, especially if it has been undetectable for several years, you have more flexibility. This partly depends on which drugs you are using.
Some once daily drugs (including tenofovir DF, emtricitabine and efavirinz) have long half-lives. This means drug levels stay in your body for long enough to cover being several hours late or even missing a dose completely.
Several studies are looking at whether reduced dosing might be safe – for example by only taking ART for four days a week. We need bigger studies before we know if this is safe though.
Note: this question was updated in October 2016 from and original answer in April 2011.
Hi Betty,
Skin problems can be due to a number of things. Therefore, this is something that you should speak to your doctor about.
Betty
Hi all, I’m having a problem my skin is inching so bad and only at night, and it is just started 5 days ago. I’m taking tribuss its now 8 months taking my medication. I never have this before.
thanks for answering me lisa
Hi themba,
You’ll be fine. Please also see the above post.
hi what happen If i missed my meds by 3 hours, I tookd them about to 23h30 it still okay??
Hi Zano,
Being undetectable with viral load under 50 can protect your baby while breastfeeding. But is 200 copies just a blip? This is where your viral load goes above 50, to say 200, but then goes undetectable on the next test. You can ask at the clinic to have another viral load test to find out about it.
You can ask the clinic to make sure you can continue breastfeeding. Are you able to get formula milk and clean water and bottles if you need to?
Please i want to find out if you are breastfeeding then yo viral load is above 200.should you stop breestfeed or continue?
Hi Quadrille,
What meds are you taking?
Can you take septrine in the morning while you are on ARV’s?
Hi M – Septrin is a combination pill with two antibiotics. It is also called cotrimoxazole. These antibiotics provide good protections against several infections.