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 Rebeccah, I am sorry to hear that you have tested positive. How are you feeling?
I know it may feel scary but now that you know you are positive you can access treatment to help keep you healthy. This can be done at the hospital you tested or a health clinic. Do you know about ART? This is anti-viral therapy that helps to suppress the HIV in your body and keep you healthy: https://i-base.info/guides/starting
Being on this medication will also help you not pass on HIV to other people: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
I tested today positive what i should do because am confused don’t know what to do I run out of hospital am home alone please I need help
Hi Ash, being later with one dose is not going to put you at risk. There is not a reason to be concerned here. Missing one or two doses is generally fine without consequence, 11 hours is not long enough to cause a viral rebound.
I was not home and completely forgot to take my ARV’s and took it 11 hours later. My very first missed dosage. I took it immediately after remembering. Would that cause my levels to drop?
Hi Lwazi, it is possible that Ranega can cause sleepless nights. Ranega is a brand name of TLD. All associated side effects of TLD can be seen here: https://i-base.info/qa/18961 What time do you take your medication? If you take Ranega earlier in the morning the side effects of sleeplessness will be less in the evening and may help you sleep.
Hy I’m on arvs ranega. Are they the cause for sleepless night
Hi DOAG, PEP should be a combination of three different medications. Lamivudine is often one but it requires another 2 medications to be taken alongside it. The most highly recommend combination by WHO guidelines is lamivudine + dolutegravir + tenofovir.
I am taking only lamuviduine as pep after a possible exposure
I was given 10×100mg
I got a refill of 30×150mg
I just want to know if it is a problem
Hi Isaiah, why do you feel you are HIV positive? Getting HIV from one exposure is not common and the total risk of transmission can be affected by a number of things. Please see this link to see how risk is changed: https://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission You can have an antigen/antibody test at a clinic 6 weeks after exposure. If this is not available to you an at home test can provide a result after 3 months.
Hi good morning please I feel I get the HIV positive but haven’t done test because I have sex with some one I get get to no she’s positive about 3&4weeks now what can I do because I have family aslo living with me thanks