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 Unon,
If you’re suffering from depression you’ll need to talk to your doctor about this. If you’re taking ARVs that contain efavirenz, this may explain why you feel depressed.
Is the rise in viral load sudden? Has your doctor talked to you about possibly having to change? If possible could you have you have your viral rechecked?
Hie
I have been taking ARV for 7years the problem l have now is depression and my viral load is over 1000 please what should l do with my depression and what to take to easy the enxiety filling ….please help
Hi Mr K, It’s great that you’ve started treatment. However, everyone is late taking a dose occasionally, but it’s important to aim for the same time slot each day. This aim can be the same hour each day so that it fits in with your schedule. Some drugs – such as efavirenz – keep working for longer than others. You can ask the clinic for a viral load test to see if HIV is already undetectable.
please I want to know If I am on the first line drug although a starter and I’ve missed my timing (only 5times) at different intervals, would I develop resistance? this month end would make it my sixth month of using my drugs.
Hi Ajit,
ARVs should ideally be taken once a day at roughly the same time, that is if they are a once a day combination. Or every 12 hrs if they are to be taken twice a day.
Hi my name is Ajit from Mumbai India I want to know what is more important while taking medicines to take medicines everyday in the same no. of hours like 7-8 hours between 9-10 hours 10 hours or between 10 to 12 hours on some days or is it imprtant to have medicines at the same time according to the clock everyday at the same time everyday is it ok to have medicines second time in the day at night according to time as late as 4.00 a.m. or 5.00 a.m. on some days and how much margin can be given everyday for having medicines in minutes or in hours according to the medicines taken in the day time and also how much margin can be given for having medicines compared to the previous day in minutes and in hours
Hi Eko,
In the future there will be ARVs that can be injected, and ones that don’t need to be taken daily. Predicting when is difficult but the answer here suggests perhaps within two years in the UK.
http://i-base.info/qa/14069
Hi dear
I need to know in Future any Chance One medicine for long time For example for six months three months one month like this because a lot of people still Daye forget use Every day so please let me know in future any chance This kind of medicine please answer me thanks
Hello Nayan, It’s great that you’ve started ART. We are not doctors, but ART is not a treatment for piles. You can ask your doctor to check your symptoms and check that the treatment is working.
Hello,
I am in ART medication from last 4 months, I have piles , for that also I am taking separate treatment.. Will piles will convert to cancer, is there any chance .. please answer me