Question
Can I change the time when I take my meds?
31 May 2018. Related: Adherence, All topics.
I’ve been taking my meds for a while. My viral load is undetectable. Is it OK if I change the time that I take them? I want to change from 8pm until 9pm.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Its perfectly fine to change the time that you take your meds from 8pm until 9pm. This won’t have any effect on your HIV, nor viral load.
Hi Tina, it is great to hear that you are undetectable. Changing the time of your meds from 8am to 6am will have no impact on how well the treatment works.
As you are still taking your treatment consistently and at the same time each day, your viral load will remain suppressed. What is the name of the treatment you are taking? Most do not need to be taken with/without food.
How much weight have you lost? and over how long have you been experiencing this?
HI my tina, I have been taking my meds for a while now and undatable before now but I’m afraid if this effect me because I recently changed the time from 8:am to 6: am so at this time I don’t normally eat or taking anything before taking my meds and I’m losing weight
Hi John, how have you been doing since testing positive?
HIV meds need to be taken at the same time each day. What is the name of the treatment you are taking? Have you been told to do a split dose like this?
HIV meds need to be taken a the same time because they only work in the body for 24 hours (or 12 depending on the type). Moving the times each day risks too long between doses and the medication not working as well. This can then risk the treatment faltering and no longer being effective.
Is there a reason you are not taking them at the same time each day?
Good day
Please I just found out I’m HIV positive
Now about taking the drugs
If I take the drugs by 7am today and 7pm and tomorrow I take it by 9am and 9pm also the day that follows I take it at a different time but I make sure I take it each day
Will I be affected?