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 Lisa
Is it normal that if you take Meds on empty stomach you feel burn? I always feel burn and undecided to eat then take med at same time then eat again after. So that Meds will be in the middle. Is that okey?
Hi Buhle,
You can take Atroiza at whatever time you like. But because of side effects it’s recommended to take it before bed and on an empty stomach. Please see more about Atroiza at this link.
You can choose the new time to take your meds. And you can allow yourself an hour before or after this target time to take them.
However, it’s very important that you have your chest symptoms checked by a doctor to find out what the problem is.
Hi Lisa,
I’m on Atroiza and I take my pill at 8pm but when I’m out I struggle cause I have to excuse myself even when we are about to leave, can I take it at 7pm or 7:30 pm? Another thing is I get inflammation in my chest sort of like heartburn after 30 minutes of taking my pill, is that normal? I’m on the pill for 2 months now.
Hi Buhle,
It’s a pity you had a reaction to the TB treatment. But it’s good that you haven’t experienced symptoms. You can ask the clinic if you need different treatment for TB or if they think it’s not needed.
Taking ART can reduce your viral load dramatically. This will give your CD4 count a chance to recover. Here’s a link to ART in Pictures showing what happens once you start ART.
Hi Amit,
So four days after being exposed I started treatment (atroiza) they even gave me treatment for TB but stopped me cause I had allergic reaction, so I’m on Atroiza only now, I started treatment on the 29 October till now I haven’t experienced any symptoms and my CD4 count dropped to 290
Hi Dooso Does,
Anzavir is a pill containing atazanivir and ritonavir. Are you taking any other ARVs? And have you recently started treatment? Please let us have more information.
Anzavir My Viral Load Was 5000
Hi Letsatsie,
This will be fine. Even when you start taking ARVs you have a window period of about an hour before and after your target time. Taking them 20 minutes after your target time is fine for your your health and your baby’s health.
Please see much more info in this guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.
Im pregnant im taking my arv@ 8 I tookthem20minutes later after my time will it harm my bby.
Regards
Noma
Hi Amit,
What ARVs are you taking? What is your CD4 history? Do you know what your viral load is?