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 Patrica,
It sounds like you are taking ARVs that contain efavirenz. Unfortunately these are common side effects when you first start taking them. They should however go within a few weeks. For more info please see the following link:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
I start with ARV. after 30 min I feel burning my chest. and I feel dizzy and tired.
Hi Mi,
The time of day that you take your meds is up to you. Efavirenz can though be easier to handle if they are taken at night.
i’m taking Tenolovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Lamivudine/Efavirenz 300mg/300mg/600mg at 9am nigerian time. is it ok?
Hi Zam,I am pretty sure that I just answered a similar comment. So long as you are taking this before you go to bed, the small differences in timeing arre not important.
Hi I’m I just started eating treatment for HIV in September,I’m working morning and afternoon shift so when I’m doing afternoon shift I’m taking my trivenz at 23:00 because my shift ends at 22:30 and when I’m doing morning shift I’m taking them at 21:00 when I’m going to bed so I just want to know it’s not a problem because I’m taking them at different times.
Hi Nomsa, please look at suggestions in this recent answer that might help:
http://i-base.info/qa/12092
If the chest pains continue – or if you think they are related to your heart, then it is important to contact your doctor.
I taking arvs atroiza for two weeks now my problem is after 30 mins i feel burning in my chest i try to take a lot of water but still and i have started caughing. morning feeling dizzy, tired and nauseous, pls help.
Hi Hatidani, please have a look at the suggestions here for someone in a similar situation.
http://i-base.info/qa/12092
I have now two weeks using Atroiza but has side effects especially in the morning such as tiredness,dizzy,loss of appetite etc so I don’t know can I change the medication?