Question

Can I develop resistance if I missed 4 days of Atripla?

15 February 2012. Related: Access to treatment, Adherence, All topics, Resistance.

I have been taking Atripla for about 2 years now, not missing one day. My Viral Load is Undetectable, and CD4 Count is near 500.

My question is this.

This past friday I had to renew my prescription to Atripla and my local pharmacy couldn’t get in touch with my doctor, so i was without my meds until tuesday when she got back, so that left me 4 days without meds. I finally got some, and now back on schedule.

Do you think there is a chance I could develop resistance?

Answer

Answer: Li Marhaban

I’m very sorry to hear about your late delivery but glad to know that you are back on schedule.

Atripla is quite a ‘forgiving’ drug because it does take a long time to leave your body, so it is very unlikely that you will develop resistance.

Since you have missed 4 doses of your medication, it is recommended that you discuss this with your HIV doctor.  The only way you can tell if you develop resistance is if your viral load becomes detectable. Your doctor can run some tests to determine whether this has happened.

We are aware that for some people getting access to HIV medication can be a problem. One way of avoiding this again is to keep an extra supply of your medication. You can ask you pharmacy for an extra 2 weeks supply.

Another back up can be if you know anyone else who takes the same medication as you. If you do then you can temporarily borrow some from them. By joining a support group, you may meet other people on the same treatment.  This way you can support each other if this were to happen again.