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 good day, off topic about arv.
I am from the Philippines,i am HIV +, i am applying for a working visa in USA. I work in a medical field.
Question
Will there be a problem in my application if i am hiv +?
Hi Alex,
I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you mean, could you please rephrase the question.
i m undetectable HIV + since 2010 i did took travada for one week & i feel normal what will happen then
Hi Araf,
We don’t have resources to answer questions on risk and transmission. But all frequently asked questions are answered through this link.
Oral sex is low risk for HIV. But it’s a good idea to see a doctor to find out the cause of these symptoms.
Hi
I had unprotected oral sex with a lady whose hiv status I don’t know on July 20th, by mid August I have dry mouth , also white coloration on top of tongue and diarrhoea for a day ,I got a rapid card test done on 26th August which turned out negative, I felt nauseous for some days and rumbling in my stomach I also have a nagging pain on my left arm and I think it’s slightly inflated
Hi Ivan,
Taking your meds late by 4hrs every now and then won’t cause you any problems. You’ll be fine.
Hello, I’m taking arv for a about a year now and my VL is considered undetected.. however due to my work I’ve been taking my meds 4hours late because i can’t wake up and this happen 4 times already.. should i be worried. Thank you for andwering I’m realky worried.
Hi Neema.
If you’ve been on meds for a year and your viral load is still detectable this would indicate that the meds aren’t working like they should do. You’ll need to talk to your doctor about this and probably see about changing to another combination. Please see here for more info: http://i-base.info/guides/changing
Does on need to do a test on other infections before changing arv’s after being detectable after 1year of medication?
Hi IAC,
Its fine to take your meds a few hours either side of your normal time, this won’t be an issue. Neither will being late by 5hrs every once in a while. After All we’re all human and these things happen.