Question
Can i change the time i take my ARVs?
29 January 2016. Related: Adherence, All topics.
I take my ARVs at 8am and 8pm. Can i change it to 10am and 10pm?
Answer
Hi,
This is not a problem as long as you consistently take them at the new time. Jumping back and forth mean you have a risk of developing resistance. This would mean your meds would stop working well.
People do change the time they take their meds for all sorts of reasons though. Again this is ok as long as you keep taking regularly at the new time.
The only concern about switching from evening to morning is if your combination include the drug efavirenz. Efavirenz needs to be taken 1-2 hours before you sleep, so you reduce side effects.
Hello Lisa and thanks for getting in touch.
There is an interaction between your ARVs and the iron supplements so you should not be taking them together.
You should aim to space the iron supplements by 6 hours from the ARVs.
From what I am reading in the internet, the iron supplement can be taken with or without food, however read the patient information leaflet in the box to know for sure.
I would recommend to maintain the time you take your ARVs and to take the iron around 2.00 pm or at night
I was taking my ARVs TLD at 8:PM but I was advised by another DR to take them in the morning so that I will have better sleep. So I changed a month ago into taking them at 7PM. Now a gynaecologist took blood rests and came back with low iron so I have to take quadrofer fro 3 months I had that its best to take them in the morning on an empty stomac. So I want to advice on how I can seperate them, or is it wise if I go back into taking ARVs at 8PM so that I will be able to take quadrofer iron supplements in the morning on empty stomac?
Hello Faith and thanks for getting in touch.
Please don’t worry about changing the time.
You might actually experience better sleep if you start taking your medication in the morning.
Just take your next dose in the morning, instead of night.
Hi
I want to change my time from 8pm to 8am is it okay,currently taking tablets which contain dolutolegravir/lamivudine/tenofovir
Hello Seipati and thanks for getting in touch.
Yes, you can change the time to one that suits you best.
Hi can l change the time taking my TLD from 22:00 to 20:00?
Hello Phethi and thanks for getting in touch.
Can you provide some more information?
Losing weight is not related to the time you take your medication.
What ARVs are you on? Do you take any other medication?
What are the changes you have made recently in your food intake, exercise level, or others?
Christina
I changed the time for taking my ARVs. I was taking it at 6pm but now a change it at 7 am.but I have start to lose weight since. Why is that?