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 Cythia.
It’s OK to take your meds a few hours either side of your normal time, this wont’ be an issue. If you’re missing days then this is different as meds need to be take daily.
Hi im also one of those who takes my meds late maybe an hour late I have been on the treatment for 2yrs i want to know cause there are times I forget because of my age I’m 64 what are the concequences
Hi Phindiwe,
It’s great that you are taking ARVs. This is the best way to protect your health and protect your baby’s health. The aim of taking HIV treatment (ART) is to have an undetectable viral load by the time you deliver your baby. This means the risk to your baby will be close to zero. So it sounds like you’re doing all you can.
Having an undetectable viral load on ART will also protect your husband from HIV. Please see this link to Undetectable = Untransmittable U=U.
If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign at this contact link. They can help with local support.
And here is the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
I’m on ARVs and my husband doesn’t know about it and I am pregnant we are not using protection does that mean my viral load will increase will this put my unborn child at risk please help
Hi Praslie,
As Simon says 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 it’s fine to take them an hour after your target time.
Hi…i used to take my drug by 20:00 so i just missed my drug an hour late is there any problem
Hi Rob,
Missing your dose by 12 hours once in 1.5 years will not make your viral load more. Most of us miss a dose very occasionally and our HIV meds carry on working well.
As Simon says above, your drugs 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.
I am undetectable since 1.5 years. I missed my dosage by 12 hours today, today will my viral load be more ? I’m on tenolam E tablet- Tenofovir (300 mg) + Lamivudine (300 mg) + Efavirenz (600 mg)
Hi Mimi,
Have you been on HIV treatment long? Or did you ask a question on another Q&A, and this is the answer to our question? Please let us know more about the question you are asking.
hi my cd4 count is 171 but I don’t know what my viral load is.