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 Huny, is there anyoneyou can talk to about how you feel – a friend or health worker? It is very common to feel like this when you are frst diagnosed, but it does get easier. Treatmentis very good and means you will be able to lead a long, active and normal life. It will just take a little time to feel more in control. Please also look at these two links:
http://i-base.info/just-found-out
and
http://i-base.info/who-can-i-talk-to
hi I tested on 14 October 2016 with my boy friend n found positive and he is negative. I am thinking of killing myself cause my life is allmost finished. Ma boy friend is confused things are changing. I am about to take my med and i said i dont want them because I am not ready, what can I do?
Hi Ken. Thanks. I am not a doctor but the first thing you can do now, while you are waiting to see your doctor, is to separate the time you take your HIV meds form the Septrin but at least a few hours. Perhaps take the ARVs at night and the Septrin in the morning. Most meds are absorbed ib the body within two hours so this should be the minimum separation time. This will also help confirm which meds at causing you to feel sick. Please contact your doctor to explain everything. Depending on how low your CD4 count is and which country you live in, the doctor will be able to decide on the importance of the Septrin and whether alternative drugs could be used.
I was tested n found positive about 2 weeks ago. I was started on ArVs n septrin at the same time. Every time I take septrin I vomit and so the ARVs. What should I do to avoid the situation?
Hi Princess, if you miss one evening dose, it is best to wait again until the next evening. If you take an extra dose during the day you are likely to feel horrible because you are awake for the side effects. If you have been on treatment for a while, all three drugs in Atroiza will last until the next evening.
Hi
Am on treatment as from September this year. I take my meds at 20:00 but yesterday I completely forgot to take my meds.is it okay to take one now 8:00? and take my next dose at 20:00. Am using atroiza
Hi Thami, missing one day is fine. Just take you meds as soon as you remember. If this is close to the next dose time though, DO NOT take a double dose.
Hi I started treatment 2 moths ago, yesterday I could not take it. How fatal is missing one day
Hi Dion, changing the normal time to eaither earlier or later is fine. With Atroiza it is still best to take this close to when you go to bed so you slepp through the side effects.
Hi people. Is it okay to change the routine if you are taking atroiza. I want to take them an hour earlier now. Im taking them at 10pm. I want to change to 9pm.