Q and A

Question

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

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.

62 comments

  1. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Mahadi,

    Though not ideal, you’ll be fine. Please see Q4 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  2. Mahadi

    I miss my tribuss for 2 days so what will happen to me

  3. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Kevin,

    Though not ideal, missing two days of meds won’t have any impact on your health. It is important however to try and take your meds daily.

  4. Kevin

    Hi ive also missed two days of my pills and currently taking lamivudine/tenofovir/efavirenz will it also affect my health??

  5. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Johnson,

    Though missing 2 days of meds isn’t ideal, it won’t affect your health. Are you now back on them?

  6. Johnson

    I missed two days of my medication, which is Truvda and Tivicay, because my insurance came in late, I am thinking what could be done.

  7. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Lebo,

    Do you both have a regular supply of meds? What do the clinic say about sharing your meds?

    Please let us know what the problem is.

  8. Lebo

    Hi
    Is it advisable for me and my partner to share our medicine?

  9. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Joyce,

    Everyone can forget their pills occasionally. And, so long as it doesn’t happen regularly and for longer than 2 days, you should be fine. What meds are you taking?

  10. joyce

    hi
    plz I forget my antiretro pills at home wen I was traveling for 2 nights I came back and took it on the 3rd night hope I will be fine.

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