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 Zinhle,
It’s a good idea to get your heart checked out. What does your HIV doctor say about these symptoms? Can you ask at the clinic to be sent to another clinic where they can examine you to see if you need meds for your heart?
don’t have tb BT I’ve lost weight and Im suffering from palpitations and I don’t know what’s wrong with me,I go to hospital but the problem still continues,any one had same problem?what is wrong with me and what can I do,or which specialist/Dr can I go to.I don’t mind paying as long I will have my normal self again and be healthy please help anyone..
Hello C Anderson,
These medicines look like they are treatment for heart disease and blood problems. We are not doctors at i-Base but we answer questions about HIV treatment. Are you on treatment for HIV? But please call the doctor to check on these particular meds.
Have taken my medicines 12hours before I should have took …I always take ..in the morning also took at night by mistake should only be once a day when do I take next….. apixiban bisoporlol digoxin ramaprill
Hi Zinhle,
Many people find it difficult to take their treatment at the same time everyday. But the rule for most meds is that if you forget to take it, then take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s time to take the next dose don’t double dose. It’s important to take TB treatment everyday. It’s a good idea to check with the instructions on the bottle or leaflet. Do they recommend to take with food? If so, perhaps have a snack too.
But the most important thing is to take TB treatment everyday. And if you forget, take it as soon as you remember.
Hi, i was suppose to take my TB treatment at 10 am o clock, i don’t know how it slipped my mind because i take my meds in time if not 15 minutes late. now time is 14:00 can still take them?
Hi Slash,
Thanks for this comment. However people who start ART with very low CD4 counts sometimes don’t get to above 400. But you can still be healthy on a CD4 count lower than 400 if viral load is kept undetectable.
Hi vivek. It will take some time for your viral load to reduce. It took me 6-7 months for my viral load reduce from 25k to undetectable (with regular medication taken everyday with no missing days)
Your main focus should be targeting to increase your CD4. If your CD4 constantly improve (safe level should be 400 and above), then you are in good path.
Hi Vivek,
Have you been taking ARVs for long? It usually takes a few months to get viral load to undetectable. And it can take a bit longer if your viral load is high when you start ART. Here’s a link to ART in pictures that shows what happens to viral load and CD4 count when you start ART.
Hi everyone ,I am taking my ARV on daily basis….but still my viral load comes 22888 and cd4 is 390.
In what situation I am