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 Seige.
Which address did you send it to? What was the context of the email?
Hi lisa i sent you an email. May you please check it thanks!
Hi Jeremy,
It’s great that the dizzyness is getting better after just one week.
(1) Taking supplements and herbs can be a problem with some HIV meds. So it’s a good idea to check with your doctor about the lingzhi, or reishi, mushroom.
(2) There are different classes of meds that can help you sleep. For example, antidepressants or hypnotics. But you can look up drug-drug interactions here.
(3) If you’re just starting LTE with low CD4 count you can talk to the doctor about isoniazid – and other TB meds – because it’s important that latent TB is treated when your CD4 count is recovering. Boosting your immune system with ARVs can cause inflammation (IRIS) related to latent TB.
Hi Jeremy here,
It’s been more than a week since I started taking LTE. I can now manage being dizzy (it actually lessens), I work at night. I normally take my LTE arv at 7:30 or 8 oclock AM. The only problem is trouble sleeping in the morning. But my main question here is (1) can I take lingzhi capsule (the red one) as well, because it helps diminish my dizziness and tiredness. (2) what can u suggest to help me sleep in the morning? (3) can i take isonazin since plhiv are susceptible with TB?
Look forward to a more information.
Hi Ken,
Is this because you are taking Atripla? Efavirenz – which is the main drug in Atripla – should be taken before going to bed. Usually the advice is to take before bedtime, on an empty stomach (or not with a high fat meal). A high fat meal increases drug levels of efavirenz by 60%. This increases the likelihood of side effects. Atripla is called by another name in different countries. You can find out more info here. If you are not getting side effects then you’re fine to eat when you do.
Hi!
I am ken for Philippines, the doctor prescibed me to take my medicine 2-3hours after meal.
But sometimes i take my medicine 10-30mins earlier because i am too sleepy. Is it okay?
Hi Liyanda,
Thanks. Good advice if you’re taking Atripla, Tribuss or Odimune, or any med that contains efavirenz. You can find out more here. But other HIV meds don’t need to be taken like this. Sometimes they need to be taken with food. It’s a good idea to check with your doctor about taking your meds in the right way.
It’s best to take your meds in the evening, whatever side effects you will experience will be in your sleep. But we must always eat our supper at least 2 or 3 hours before the treatment and also avoid fatty foods in the evenings. This Was advised by my doctor and this is helping me.
Hi Jackson,
Are you taking Atripla? In some countries this has a different name such as Tribuss or Odimune. These meds work. But sometimes side effects can include feeling dizzy. Here’s more info on this. Can you talk to your doctor about changing to other meds that fit better with your night shifts?
Hi I’m Jackson i usually take my meds at 9am and wake up around 3pm because i do work at night, sometimes i do wake up feeling dizzy, so I’m asking if this medical is going to work , because i don’t even see a change to my body, maybe to gain because it’s been now a 3years taking it?