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.
I was switched by my clinic from atroiza to odimune and now the side effects seem to be returning ..and since my initial cd4 count was 173,should I be worried ??would this have anything to do with my weight loss or am I in any danger??
Hi Dee,
Yes you can continue to take your meds. Missing them for 3 days shouldn’t have had any real impact.
Hello, my dad passed away and I totally forgot to take my ARV for three days. Would this affect my body? Can I continue taking after missing out for these days? I’m on ARV for 3 years now and have been taking it regularly. I’m worried.
Hi Josh,
Drinking alcohol when you’re taking ARVs is fine as it doesn’t interact with the meds. So the answer is there’s no effect on the ARVs.
I’m drinking alcohol but i didn’t forget to take my ARV. Is it okay? I don’t drink every day. Can the arv is still on effect? Please answer me
Hi Konan,
Yes this will be fine, being 2hrs late won’t be an issue.
If it is okey to take my arv at 11pm? My schedule is every 9pm. I just felt a sleep while waiting. This is my first time. Please help me what should I do.
Hi Mohamed,
Yes, you can change from 10pm to 8pm. Please see this similar Q&A.
I wanted to change my time from 10pm to 8 pm its good for me?0please helm me .am HIV patient
Hi Dolly,
There shouldn’t be a problem working in the USA. But it’s a good idea to contact the American Embassy to ask for visas and work permit forms to make your application.
Please see this similar Q&A.