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
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.
Hi Anesipho,
You aren’t going to die because you missed 4 days worth of meds. The people who say these things are wrong.
The important thing is that you’re back on them. Though its very unlikely that your viral load will have rebounded, I would mention it to your doctor that you’d missed 4 days. How are you feeling still you started to retake them?
Hi, I’m very worried it’s hard even to sleep I missed taking my meds ( Atroiza) for 4 days, I always hear peooe saying you can die if u missed. Is that means I’m gonna die now as I’m back on my meds after four days without consulting my doctor?
Hi Thando.
If you’ve missed your meds for 10 days, your viral load will probably have become detectable. If this is the case you’ll need to discuss this with your doctor. Is there any reason why you missed 10 days of meds?
What happened if I missed to take my meds for 10 days
Hi Sphamandla,
Its great to hear that you’re thinking about starting meds again. Before you start you should have a talk with your doctor. Ideally they should check your viral load as well as CD4 count. They’ll also need to make sure that you’ve not developed resistance to your previous meds.
I’ve been off meds for 3 months, will it be OK to restart them?
Hi Mike,
What meds do you take? When will you be starting them again?
Im 3days without taking my meds
Hi Palesa,
Congratulations on the birth of your baby!
Why did you miss 6 doses of your treatment? You should keep taking your treatment but let your doctor know you’ve missed a few doses. It shouldn’t cause a problem but your doctor will be able to check that everything is ok. Your doctor or clinic will also be able to help if you are having problems remembering to take your pills.
I had a baby a week ago and was put on aluvia and cipla duvoir,my cd4 count is 700 and viral load undetectable, I missed 6 doses of my treatment, can I continue with the treatment,my docter said I should not stop