Question
What happens if I miss a dose?
5 February 2018. Related: Adherence, All topics.
Hi,
I’m aged 28, female, im starting this new Atroiza today. I’m responsible but what happens if I miss a day or 30 min off drinking my tablet.
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for your email.
The best reason to aim for the same time every day, is so that you get into a good routine. This will help you make your meds an easy part of your life. This is especially true when you first start treatment until your viral load becomes undetectable.
Generally it is OK to have a window of an hour either side of your normal time to take your meds. So if you aim to take it at 9 pm each day so long as you take it between 8pm and 10pm this will all be fine.
Most people will miss a dose at some point, but so long as this is not every week , this is also okay.If this keeps happening, please talk to your doctor about things that might help. The more doses you miss though the more likely that you will develop drug resistance.
Please see this page about adherence for more information.
Note: This answer was updated in February 2018 from a question first posted online in September 2013.
Please advise,I am 32 and found out I have HIV when pregnant.Before that my husband was infected with TB and they treated it and was fine but he decided not to take med for HIV so I told him we can’t have sex even condoms are not 100% .We are staying together but no sex because I am taking medication and he is not .I check my viral load and now is very good even discovery gave me retirement and life cover and declined his .I feel he is not taking his status seriously and we have kids .I don’t know what to do, tried talking to him and his answer is we all going to die one way or the other.
Hi Lizzy,
It’s great to hear you’re going to have a baby – many congratulations.
If you’re planning to have your baby in Johannesburg you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). The TAC have been working for access to quality healthcare since 1998.
The TAC can help with local support. You can ask about getting Tribuss through their contacts page.
Hi . I’m 14weeks pregnancy, Iv been on tribuss for 3weeks now , so I plan to deliver my baby in jhb , do I have to keep coming back to my current province to collect medication? Or I can get Tribuss from a private dr ? Bcoz I do t want to change medication as I am already used to this one and familiar with its side effects.
Hi,
You’re going to be OK, however your viral load may rebound. When you get home, take your meds. You should also book at viral load test. If its possible, see if you can access some meds in a nearby clinic in Durban.
I’m travelling and I’ve run out of my ARVs…. It’s been a day now. I collect my meds from Johannesburg and currently in Durban. Will be here for a week. Terrified.. What can I do?
Hi Nontuthuzelo,
It’s a good idea to carry on taking PEP. Success of PEP can depend on many things. For example, how soon you start taking it after a risk.
But it’s a good idea to talk to the doctor about it.
HI WHAT HAPPEN IF I MISS PEP FOR TWO DAYS
Hi Joseph,
Thanks for this comment. Many of us use different ways to remember taking the tablets. There’s more tips to help adherence at this link.
The best way not to miss treatment let your femaly and friends know who you are so that they remind you to take your tablet on time. Hiding of being HIV positive will not make you negative. Remove fear. Fear improve veral loud higher. Peace and love heals.
Hi Anonymous,
Its ok to take Tribuss a few hours either side of your normal time. Your HIV won’t be affected.