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 Pau,
As the answer above says, a very traditional opinion will say that you cannot miss doses safely.
However, accidents like this happen. And the risk of drug resistance can increase if missing doses happens often. So all is probably fine. But it’s a good idea to tell your doctor about this when you’re back home.
Hi I’m away from home for 2 days and I forgot to bring my triumeq how safe is it to miss 2 days of meds?
Hi Mianza,
Accidents like this happen. Is it possible to get a small supply where you’re travelling to? Are you travelling to another country, or just witihin the country you live in?
Please let us know where you are.
Hello im traveling for one week. I forgot my meds. Ill be gone for one week. Im super worry
Hi Ron,
Yes you’ll be OK. However, if you can it”s important that you take your meds daily.
I miss two days of my dose will I be ok
Hi Jimmy,
Its OK to miss a dose of your medication. It won’t have an impact on your viral load. You’ll be OK.
Hie I’m at work and I forgot to carry my madecine i finish work tomorrow morning and I’m worried pliz help
Hi Lulu,
Its ok to miss a dose, this won’t have any impact on your viral load. Please see Q3: https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi, i missed a dose of my odimune drug only once. Will dat affect my viral load? What will happen to me? Can i take it again on my normal tym range following day?