Question
How often can I miss a dose?
9 June 2008. Related: Adherence, All topics, Resistance.
Hi, I have been on Sustiva/Truvada for 7 months and only missed 1 dose.
In your opinion how often could you safeley miss a dose? Not intending to purposely miss doses just a question really. Thanks!
Answer
I have a very traditional opinion and will have to say that you cannot miss doses safely.
The thing is that HIV does not mutate selectively, it does it randomly. Hense missing a dose is like a Russian roulette. During the period when the virus can replicate (as there is not enough medication to supress it in your body), it can mutate in such a way, that it becomes resistant to the medication, but it also can mutate in a way that it does not become resistant.
Hence every missed dose is a potential resistance provoker and it is more true with the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Sustiva and Viramune) than with the protease inhibitors.
At the same time, as I mentioned before, not every missed dose will by default lead to resistance, but, again, less is better.
Hi Zee, HIV meds need to be taken every day, especially in the first few months after starting. If you already missed two doses, it will probably be fine so long as you are taking them every day since. What was the reason you stopped? Perhaps talk to your doctor if this is something they could help with.
Hi I’m pregnant and its its been 1 week using Atroiza. What will happen if I skip 2 days not taking it?
Hi Tumi,
Though not ideal, you should be OK. This is because viral rebound usually begins once someone has been of meds for 2 weeks. When you next get your meds, you should try and make sure that you have enough to last you.
Its great to hear though that your viral load is undetectable. Your CD4 is also great.
Hi I have been using atrozia for a month now and am pregnant, my cd4 count is over 600, viral load undetectable. I have just run out of my medication and my next appointment with the doctor is in three days time. Please let me know what will happen if I miss three consecutive days without treatment.
Hi Mosee,
Though not ideal, you will be OK. Please see Q4 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I miss my hiv tablet yesterday I have only started taken it 2 months now will it harm me?
Hi Robert,
Missing one dose will not cause you any harm.
I only missed my HIV meds yesterday while I started taking meds last year on May.So is there any harm?
Hi JB,
Though not ideal, you’ll be fine. Your viral load won’t be effected.
I have just come away for the weekend and forgotten my medication. It means I will tonight and tomorrow but be back to taking it again on Monday (so missing 2 evenings). I have been on the medication (Atripla) for 5 years with no problems and health wise I’m all ok currently.
Thanks