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 Shawn, being an hour late is not going to cause any harm.
I accidentally set the wrong alarm on 10pm for a day. it supposed to be 11pm. (An hour earlier). Will it cause any harm?
Hi Tom, as she has recently tested negative it is more likely that she still is. Her being a stripper should not suggest she has recently contracted HIV in the last few weeks. For this reason this would be considered a low risk exposure. In the UK this would not require PEP as there is more risk of side effects (of which you are experiencing) than there is becoming HIV positive. There is a very small risk of HIV transmission but PEP is not recommended in this case.
Hi
So I think I was just being over precautious (one random encounter, unprotected sex, didnt cum inside her but went back in after. She was wet. So was I. She last tested 1.5 months ago and was good. But she’s a new stripper) and took PEP after day 1. But I want to stop it .. as I don’t think the risk was very high. And as the side effects are quite heavy (tiredness, bloating, body pains, depressed). And it’s for way too long… 28 days. Geez ..
Stopping it now .. (?)
Hi Mandy, yes it is okay to drink wine and smoke week while taking acriptega. There is no interaction between these chemicals.
Is drinking wine and smoking weed okay if you take acriptega?
Hi Mavis, do you know the names of your HIV and Tb medication?
I’m a new member so they give me ather medication for prevent tb so should I take it at the same time or any time
Hi Kim, it will not have an effect on your medication. But drinking this much alcohol can effect you remembering to take them on time. Have you been able to take your medication at the same time each day while drinking?
Hi hope your well is it ok to take drink 3 bottle of alcohol every weekend’s can it affect my daily doze thanks