Question
If I take HIV drugs early is there a risk of overdose?
27 March 2009. Related: Adherence, All topics, Side effects.
I am taking Truvada and nevirapine. My viral load is undetectable.
I’m about to go away on a business trip and am not sure when I’ll be able to take my pills. I remember my doctor saying I could take them early, so long as I never leave more than 24 hours between doses, but is this allowable several times?
That is, can I take one dose 18 hours after the previous, the next after another 12 hours, the next after 16 and so on, if I need to? I’d prefer to take them whenever I can get away in private, rather than exactly 24 hours later, as I’ve been doing at home.
Is there any danger of overdosing?
Thanks – and thanks for running this excellent service!
Answer
You can take your medicines less than 24 hours apart. It is, actually, what people do when they want to switch the time when they take ARVs, ie when they travel to a different time zone.
Having slightly higher drug levels of HIV drugs for a few hours will not cause any harm, and in one trip it is also fine to do this several times.
Each drug will have it’s own effect but none of these should be noticeable with the drugs you are taking.
Remember, that if you are taking nevirapine 400mg once-daily, you can split the dose to 200mg twice daily, so if you know you will be taking your next dose in 12 hours you would only need to take one 200mg tablet for that period.
Although modern medicines are researched for their safety and tolerability, it is not really advisable to expose yourself frequently or for a long period to an increased risk of side effects. When you are back home, sticking as much as possible to the 24 hours interval would be great, but a bit earlier or a slight delay won’t make much harm. I tend to be a bit traditional and old fashioned in that respect.
When travelling, is it possible to perhaps taking the pills in the bathroom/toilet or find an explanation, like “I am taking vitamins and herbal supplements”? This may be even an easier option. You won’t believe how many people take that seriously.
Hi please help me
I don’t have a time base of taking my pills, i use to take them at 8pm and 11pm because am working night shift most of the time. That can be a problem?
Hi Ethel,
Yes its ok to take your meds are your normal time, this won’t be an issue.
I am not sure if I took my medication at 8pm. And I took another tablet at 12: 54am is it ok if I continue with my normal time as usual
Hi Maria.
As long as you’re viral load is undetectable its OK to have sex without a condom. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Hi Lucia,
Its OK to take them at your normal time.
Please help me , i mistakenly took my arv drugs by 10am when i suppose to take it by 10pm. Should i go ahead and take it again by 10pm today or i should wait and take it 10pm tomorrow? That is 12hours early today and 12hours late tomorrow.
Hi Elela,
Accidents like this do happen. Generally you can skip the evening dose and then carry on with your usual time the following evening. Some ARVs, such as Atripla, usually remain at high levels in the body. So skipping a dose occasionally like this is fine.
Please help.. This morning i took my medication by mistake. I meant to take my multivitamin instead took the ARVs. That was around 9:30 this morning and i normally take my ARVs @21:00. Should i take the medication tonight or normal time tomorrow. Thanks
Hi Robert,
Unfortunately taking 8 or more ARVs can be toxic for your body. Why are you thinking of doing this Robert? Are you taking HIV treatment (ART) at the moment? What are your blood test results? Please let us know.
Someone take ± 8 tablet at ones to take her life,wht would happen?