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.
Hi I am having difficulty in taking my arvs on time, what can I do to help me remember ?
I developed genital warts and some rashes on my back since I started this medication ,is it cureable?
Hi Taylor,
Unfortunately we are not doctors at i-Base. But we do give treatment info to people who are HIV positive and friends and family.
But there is actually very little data on the effectiveness of PEP. This is mainly because HIV is already such a difficult virus to catch. PEP needs to be taken as soon after exposure as possible. It is usually taken for 28 days.
Please see this Q&A on PEP and follow the links to more detailed answers.
Hello Doctor. I missed my pep doses for 7 days. after that, I started taking PEP again. is it still working?
Hi Ongezwa,
If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign at this contact link. They can help with local support.
hi I started taking arvs on February I got a job it happened very fast now I’m far from where I take meds and I don’t have time I’m running out of them what should I do
Hi Mitch,
Most people will miss a dose at some point, but so long as this is not every week, this is okay. Please see this Q&A.
Please see this guide to tips for taking your pills on time and in the right way.
Hi I usually take my arv at 11pm but last week but I took it at 6am (7 hrs later) and the next week I forgot if I’ve taken my meds or not so I decided to take it again at 11am (12 hrs later than my usual schedule). Is it ok?
Hi Jim,
There is actually very little data on the effectiveness of PEP. This is mainly because HIV is already such a difficult virus to catch. Please see this Q&A.
As Simon says, i-Base information always stresses the earlier PEP is started, the better chance it will work. This should ideally be within hours rather than days.
Hi I was given pep but I seem to have forgotten 1 doze will I be ok, but am still continuing with the rest
Hi Matt,
As Simon says on this Q&A, Most people will miss a dose at some point, but so long as this is not every week, this is also okay.
However, it’s a good idea to see the doctor and tell them. Since you have missed 5 doses of your medication, it is recommended that you discuss this with your HIV doctor. The only way to tell if your HIV meds are working well is if your viral load becomes detectable. Your doctor can run some tests to find out whether this has happened.