Question
Will I be ok if I was 3 hours late with my meds, just once?
27 May 2013. Related: Adherence, All topics.
I took my ARVs more than 3 hours late last night. I just wanna know if it still ok? It happened only once.
Answer
Hi,
This is very unlikely to have any impact on your health either way.
As you know, it is not a good idea to be late. But if this only happens occasionally, you will be fine. Everyone is likely to miss or be late once in a while.
How late you can be is related to the meds in your combination. Once your viral load has been undetectable for a while, then most combinations have an hour or two flexibility either side or your target time.
For some meds that are processed by your body more slowly, you may have even more time, but it is still always safer to find the time that works best for you and tom aim for this every day.
Hi Anonymous, as long as you are taking them within the hour of your regular time there is no risk.
If you notice that you are taking them late everyday, for the duration that you are in this different place, you can switch your regular time to make sure that you are still taking your treatment at the same time each day.
I visited at a new place so I’m struggling to catch same time to take my meds but I’m taking them daily even if it is 30 mins to an hour late,won’t this affect my health?
Hi Thulana, being late with one dose of medication is not going to be a problem. Your treatment will still work and this will not affect your health.
Hi I am so Stress I usually drink my HIV medication on 06:30am in the morning but I’ve taken them at 15:00 pm will it be a problem
Hi Tahna,
Yes this will be OK. Please also see Q4 here: https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi I am stress every morning I taken hiv tablets in morning but I forgot take today so I take 12 am will that ok
Hi Judy,
Your medication should come with instructions, is should say if you can eat straight after. If you don’t have the instructions, what meds are you taking?
Can I eat after taking my pill?