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 mi name is joyce im a domestic worker ,i have been living with hiv for 14 year without treatment ,now i want take arvs but mi problem is i will not be able to go to clinic every month pls help me
Hi Masingita, what ARVs are you taking?
Yes you can switch the time you take your medication. As long as you keep taking your pills at this new time at the same time every day.
Depending on what ARVs you take, you may notice some different side effects. The most common is if you take TLD, taking the medication later may affect your sleep.
I’m taking my arv pills at 12 am is ok or can I change my time to anytime pm
Hi T, thanks, this will not cause you any harm. It is best to aim for the same time, but it is also okay of you are a few hours early or late.
Hi so i usually take my medicine around 8 pm but i dozed of yesterday and drank my ARV pills at 12 midnight. Will it cause me harm?
Hi Rose – yes, this is easy to do.
Hi. I take my volutrip at 9am and I want to switch to 7am. Is it okay if I do this?
Hi Thato,
Are you new to treatment? What is your current viral load?
When starting treatment lots of people have high viral loads. However, as soon as a person begins to take treatment their viral load drops. Ideally a viral load should become undetectable within 1-3 months of starting medication.
With regards to your specific question, no you can’t take more than one tablet of Atrozia per day, you can only take one.
Can I take my atroiza twice a day as my virul load is high
Hi Julio,
You’ll be fine, this won’t cause any health issues.