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 Mpasi,
Are you taking HIV meds (called ART)? Taking ART and being undetectable means that HIV cannot be transmitted even if you don’t use condoms. If your viral load test is undetectable, and it has been like this for some months, you can’t transmit HIV. Here is more about Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U). Telling your partner you are HIV positive can be tough for many people. But there are many questions and answers about that here.
I am positive and my partner does’nt know.I don’t know hia status.What are the chances of him getting positive.He does’nt want to get tested.
Hi Sadpozman,
As it says on the answer above, 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.
So you don’t need to worry about 22 minutes.
Hello , I’ve just recently discovered I’m giving positive and I’ve started treatment . I’ve been taking my ARV(efavirenz tenofovir and lamivudine ) capsule at 10 pm everyday but yesterday I was so tired I slept off and missed it but took it at 10:22 pm. Will I be paying for this ? Do I need to worry about drug resistance ? Thank you
Hi Chris.
As long as your HIV is stable, then yes its perfectly fine to take your meds a few hours either side of your normal time.
Hai, i am a positive since a year ago and have been taking treatment eversince. Currently, my timing for taking arv is a bit out of line. Is it OK ? Sometimes its an hour or two aside from my main schedule.
Hi Chris,
Yes you can take your meds a few hours either side of your normal time. This won’t have any effect on your HIV.
i am a positive since a year ago. My doctor prescribed me with FDC treatment and i’ve been taking it for a year by now. What i’d like to ask you about is, is it still okay if i take my arv an hour or two late from my scheduled time ? I usually take my arv at 9.30 pm but since i finish my gym at 9.15 pm, sometimes i haven’t eat any so i postponed my arv treatment until i get something to eat and take my pills rightaway. I always feel dizzy and about to puke if i take my arv before get my stomach filled with food, thats why i need to eat something 1st before taking my treatment. Thank you so much for your time and really looking forward for your reply.
Hi Remy,
You’ll be fine. Its better that you took them instead of not taking them at all. Had it been closer to your usual time, you could have waited.
I took my drugs 11 hour late when I remember I prefer taking it late than missing it.am I safe?