Question
What time should I take my ARVs?
27 August 2013. Related: All topics, Starting treatment.
I recently discoverd that I’m HIV and pregnant and my CD4 is above 500. I just want to know what is the right time to drink medication? Because I eat at 18h30 and drink the tablets at 19h00 is it safe?
Answer
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis but congratulations on your pregnancy!
The right time to take your medication will depend on which drugs you are taking. Can you tell me the names of the tablets you are taking?
Information about how to take different ARVs can be found on our meds page.
Hi Noma,
The reason why it’s recommended to take tribuss in the evening is because this should ideally reduce the side effects from the efavirenz. If you’re having issues with the medication this could be due to the efavirenz. You can of course try taking them in the morning and see how you feel. If you’re still having issues then you may need to change to a different combination.
Hi
Is trybus safe to drink in the morning?
I have problem of sleeping and it affect me at work during the day
Can I change to morning at 6h30 from 20h00?
Hi Palesa,
Yes, you can change to the time that suits you. Please see this link to info about taking your meds. It says that side effects can be reduced if you take them before bedtime on an empty stomach, or not with a high fat meal.
Atenef and Atroiza contain the same meds. They have different names because they are made by different companies.
Hi I am pregnant and newly diagnosed, is it safe to change the time I used to take my ARVS at 20:00 and now I want to change to 22:00 since I eat until 20:00 and I once read that one should take the pills 2 hours earlier or 2 hours after meals, I was using Atenef and now they changed me to Atroiza.
Hi Sandra,
When someone first starts ARVs, if the combination that they’re taking contains efavirenz, it’s very common that they will have issues with sleep and also vomit. This is your body getting used to the medication. These side effects usually last for a few weeks. If they last longer you may need to change. Please see Q3 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
You may also find the following helpful: http://i-base.info/guides/starting
With regards to your partner, though unfair these things do happen. Maybe he just needs to some time.
I found out 2 weeks ago when the man who wanted to marry me asked me to go with him to VCT, I still wish someone would wake me up from this horrible nightmare. After getting our results my results were positive and his negative, he left me and said he can’t marry someone who is HIV positive, I’m broken I don’t know what to do, was advised to start immediately with the treatment, yesterday was the first day I started taking the treatment, I didn’t sleep last night had terrible nightmares this morning I vomited as well as this afternoon, I don’t know what I can take to reduce these side effects of the drugs…
Hi Zama,
It’s common to be worried and scared about taking meds. However, if you want to control your HIV you’re going to need to take them. Yes, this may be daunting, however you’re going to be OK. You may get some side effects, you may not. It isn’t possible to say. Please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/starting
With regards to what time you should take your medication this will all depend on what it is that you’re taking. If it’s an ARV that contains efavirenz, please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/1561
I am scared of taking the meds, I keep on postponing the time. I wanna know which exactly the right time to take it? Can I take it at 22:00?
Hi Maria,
Though being diagnosed with HIV can be hard, it’s important to know that you’re going to be OK. HIV is no longer the illness it used to be. It’s easy to treat and there’s no reason why your life expectancy will be affected. This may take you some time to come to terms with, however you’ll get there.
What’s important now is that you start medication. Its the medication that will control your HIV as well as reduce the risk of transmission to your baby. Please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Being able to talk about your diagnoses may help. Is there anyone you can talk to?
Do I need to be worried about hiv and I’m no longer going to live long to take care of my kids? I’m also pregnant and just found out ,I’m truly traumatized.